Chapter 554: The Empress Who Tasted Sweetness

Chapter 554 -507: The Empress Who Tasted Sweetness

[Cultivation: Early-stage Nascent Soul (26%)]

[Root Bone: Upper Grade Dao Bone (Flame Point 1,186,720/800,000) (Breakthrough possible)]

[Spiritual Power: Initial Stage of Subtle Perception (Flame Point 1,186,720/200,000) (Breakthrough possible)]

Qin Yu glanced over it; his Flame Points gained this time were as much as four hundred thousand or so.

He wasn’t in a rush to break through and advance.

His gaze drifted now and then toward the Empress standing before him.

Bathed in dazzling, woven golden sunlight, the Empress’s figure was upright and dignified, her body surrounded by an inviolable divine halo, outlining her flawless silhouette in striking clarity—elegant to the extreme.

Her slender waist and long, straight legs became all the more irresistibly alluring amidst the interplay of light and shadow—showcasing not only the regal, unyielding aura unique to an Emperor, but also a femininity and grace innate to women.

This presence, awe-inspiring and forbidding any casual offense, nevertheless made one unconsciously enchanted, stirring admiration in the heart.

Staring at those tightly-pressed thighs, not letting even a single ray of sunlight through…

Qin Yu really wanted to ask the Empress if she still needed to undergo tribulation.

Unfortunately, her aura was robust, surrounding her with consummate harmony and fullness, not the slightest hint of instability—clearly, she wasn’t about to give him any opening at all.

Up ahead.

The Empress’s expression remained indifferent. They were almost back at the Imperial Capital, and this guy still didn’t know how to restrain himself—his gaze was practically burning holes!

Did he really think she couldn’t sense it?!

Or perhaps, Qin Yu actually knew she could feel it, but did it anyway.

Of course, situations like this only ever arose when it was just the two of them—if anyone else was around, Qin Yu remained quite proper.

Like just now, in front of Emperor Chu, he really let her upstage him for once.

You know, among the various Great Immortal Royal Families’ tributors, which of them isn’t a little temperamental?

Some are even downright eccentric.

How could anyone compare with Qin Yu—so obedient and respectful to his own Emperor?

That’s why Emperor Chu was so jealous.

Some tributors only have one particular skill and are already a handful to serve, but Qin Yu… What he’s displaying isn’t just talent in arrays—he can even purify malice?!

Truly unheard of.

That’s why the Empress endured it.

Consider it a tiny… reward?

Besides, during her tribulation, she didn’t feel she’d handled everything seamlessly, and Qin Yu… He didn’t seem like an idiot, either.

Could it be that he hadn’t noticed anything at all?

The Empress didn’t believe that.

It’s even possible this guy sometimes picked up the pace precisely when she failed to hold her emotions in check.

Hmph!

Did he think she didn’t understand what he was up to?

She was the Emperor, after all!

Also, Qin Yu really had been slacking off his cultivation lately.

Any serious cultivator, even on the road, wouldn’t waste their time like this.

But this guy, he didn’t even need to fly himself; left and right, all he did was try to sneak a few extra glances by shifting his gaze.

What on earth was so interesting to look at?!

Hadn’t he looked enough?

For no reason, tiny ripples stirred in the Empress’s heart, but they quickly settled down.

Sigh…

There really are still some problems with my state of mind.

Is this truly a complication left over after the tribulation?

Or perhaps, taking the shortcut like this didn’t count as truly passing the Seven Emotions Tribulation.

Who knows if I’ll ever have that kind of opportunity again in the future.

Though the warm current inside her body had grown over twice as strong, wanting to fortify her Root Bone would still take at least a thousand years.

And that’s being optimistic.

Normally, for a cultivator, if there’s hope of improving their Root Bone, time’s never the issue; they’ll seize every chance, no matter how long it takes.

But the Great Yan Empress’s situation right now was different.

She’d had a taste of the good stuff.

Bottom line? Her state of mind had shifted—no going back now.

If it weren’t for Ling’Er…

The thought filled the Empress with guilt; quickly, she calmed herself down. She even let out an icy cold aura that chilled even Qin Yu behind her, making him instantly straighten up.

Best not provoke the Empress when she’s in her normal state…

…

In the Lifebound Space.

Su Xihe was observing the outside world, lost deep in thought.

Just what’s off here?

Did I guess wrong?

True, the Empress’s dignitas is unmatched—even as her wayward disciple, I wouldn’t dare cross her no matter how bold I was.

As for the Empress seeking out Qin Yu proactively?

Su Xihe had considered the possibility.

But… it was slim to say the least.

After all, without having tasted that ecstasy herself, she used to be wholly resistant—and dismissive, too!

Only after tasting the marrow does one fall helplessly into it.

Look at Tu Jiujiu’s elder sister—so proud and aloof now, but Su Xihe would wager that once she got a taste of the sweetness, she’d become utterly uncontrollable.

Just like I was back then—hogging the wayward disciple for days on end, back then not even worrying about being discovered by my little sister, Su Xiyue.

Thinking this far, Su Xihe’s dainty face flushed red, a wave of shame surging in her heart.

Hmph!

He’s this Sect Leader’s disciple, and it was just giving him guidance on the path of cultivation, that’s all.

At her side, good friend Liu Zixiao watched the sect leader in thoughtful silence.

Has it really gotten to this extent?

Just watching Qin Yu’s back is enough to spark her own cultivation?

Come to think of it, Qin Yu hadn’t come into the Lifebound Space for days now; next time he returned, he’d definitely have to make up for all that missed cultivation time.

Thinking that, Liu Zixiao was both eager… and just a little bit fearful.

After all, she wasn’t born with a Sacred Body. Even after breaking into the Lotus Platform Realm, in terms of raw cultivation, she still couldn’t compare to the stalwart Su Xiyue.

Every time in the courtyard, she’d always wait until Su Xihe had been cultivating a while before joining in, yet she was unfailingly the first one to bow out.

That guy is truly a monster!

“Elder Tu, I have some questions about cultivation I don’t understand—might I seek your advice?”

Liu Zixiao’s beautiful eyes flickered, falling suddenly upon the cool and aloof Beauty Clan Leader.

The Beauty Clan Leader smoothed out her expression, then reluctantly looked away.

What a hateful guy—why can’t he show HER this kind of respect?!

She glanced aside; Liu Zixiao was standing respectfully at her side, looking deferential.

“What confuses you?”

The Beauty Clan Leader didn’t refuse.

Though she didn’t care much for mingling with other races, she was, after all, living here for now; she couldn’t very well shut everyone out forever, could she?

That wouldn’t do for group harmony.

And besides, these ladies were different from Qin Yu—they all showed her due respect and, what’s more, treated Tu Jiujiu very well, without the least bit of rejection.

It was precisely for this reason that the Beauty Clan Leader could talk herself into at least reluctantly getting along with Qin Yu’s beloved companions.

Still, with all her theoretical knowledge and little worldly experience, this beauty might never truly comprehend the unpredictable nature of the human heart…

Liu Zixiao, clearly, was also hunting for allies now.

After all, inside this Lifebound Space, she and Su Xihe were technically the seniors; it wouldn’t do to get too chummy with the juniors.

And the Beauty Clan Leader in front of her—sure enough, she’d end up in the same boat.

So this was advance relationship-building, plain and simple.

The two of them chatted for a while…

“Thank you for resolving my doubts, Elder Tu.”

Liu Zixiao put on an enlightened expression and thanked her sincerely.

The Beauty Clan Leader nodded lightly, graciously accepting the gratitude.

One had to admit, though the titles among Qin Yu’s Dao Companions were a mess—unbefitting of a proper fox—nonetheless, their relationships with each other were harmonious and sensible.

“Elder Tu…”

Liu Zixiao didn’t leave. Instead, she looked as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

“Yes?”

The Beauty Clan Leader raised her brows slightly—what now, another question?

Ask away!

This Clan Leader is certain to solve your puzzles—just remember to tell Qin Yu later how awesome and magnanimous I am. When that annoying fellow finally…

Will be so grateful he’s in tears!

He’ll kowtow on the spot!

Let this Clan Leader have a dose of the Flame Emperor’s treatment for once!

Just picturing Qin Yu standing respectfully before her, not daring to look her in the eye, the Beauty Clan Leader almost wanted to wag her tail with smugness.

“This isn’t really a question about cultivation. I just hope Elder Tu won’t take offense…”

“No need to worry. Speak.”

The Beauty Clan Leader put on a mysterious, profound look.

She was already impatient to see the scene where Qin Yu fell to his knees in gratitude.

“It’s just… If there were a way to improve your talent, would you be tempted, Elder Tu?”

Liu Zixiao thought highly of Tu Jiujiu’s big sister—she wasn’t just stunning, but her figure outclassed even the Empress Dowager and their beautiful teacher! If she joined, their battle power would soar!

If they had such a strong ally, Liu Zixiao herself wouldn’t have to worry about trembling legs when cultivating ever again.

“???”

The Beauty Clan Leader was caught off guard, totally failing to process this.

What on earth was she talking about?

During her days in the Lifebound Space, she had seen with her own eyes several of Qin Yu’s Dao Companions break through with their Root Bone, and even the others had shown clear improvement.

But she’d already made some inquiries in secret.

If one wanted to enhance their Root Bone, it seemed…

The only way was to cultivate with Qin Yu.

Even though the proud Beauty Clan Leader had overcome her aversion to him, this… this she just could NEVER accept!

“I didn’t even have Dao Bone before; it was through cultivating with my husband that I finally improved…”

Liu Zixiao’s voice seemed almost laced with magic.

Before, she’d have never dared bring up these things in front of the Beauty Clan Leader. After all, the latter’s cultivation was profound—surely some big shot.

But over this time together, they’d all learned that Tu Jiujiu’s sister only seemed cold; sometimes she’d even get dragged into the water by Tu Jiujiu to play around.

The key thing was—what even IS the Lifebound Space?

Everyone here is one of their own, come on!

Tu Jiujiu and Princess Ling’Er were just too young to withstand that kind of cultivation method.

But Tu Jiujiu’s big sister was different!

She’d been here ages, but still not joined the sisterhood. Every time she was worn out from cultivation, Liu Zixiao had thought more than once how much she could use a strong ally.

“There are untold numbers of cultivators in the world—countless have been blocked from advancing by lack of talent…”

Su Xihe, noticing the conversation’s odd vibes, walked over slowly: “For us cultivators, our hearts should follow the Dao—let us act true to our intentions.”

After all, she had personally witnessed her wayward disciple tangled up, hugging Tu Jiujiu’s big sister…