Exclusive Uniform, Maid Outfit!

"Ice Empress, come with me to Star Luo City?" Lin Yuan toyed with the Nine-Colored Space Key, anticipation glinting in his purple eyes. He had long wanted to return to Lin Manor in Star Luo City for a look.

Ice Empress blinked her golden eyes. Her first instinct was to refuse, but the words caught in her throat. She had just finished refining the Dragon God Blood Essence and was worrying about having no chance to test her improved strength. Taking a trip with Lin Yuan to a human city was not such a bad idea. Besides, with their wager in place, she was now Lin Yuan's exclusive little loli bodyguard. What reason did she have to refuse?

"What are you going to Star Luo City for? Don't you already have a place to live in the human world?" She turned her face away and kicked at a pebble by her feet. Her tone remained somewhat awkward, yet she subtly adjusted her stance, clearly preparing to go with him.

"To buy Ice Empress a set of 'exclusive' uniform." Lin Yuan shook the Nine-Colored Space Key in his hand, the mischief in his purple eyes impossible to hide. "Since you're my little loli bodyguard, you ought to have a proper outfit, right?"

"Uniform?" Ice Empress's eyes widened sharply, and the chill around her instantly surged. Even the grass beneath her feet froze beneath a thin layer of ice. "I think you're deliberately trying to torment me! A four-hundred-thousand-year soul beast wearing a human uniform—aren't you afraid the other Fierce Beasts will laugh at me if word gets out?"

She had lived for countless years and had always presented herself with cold pride. Yet now Lin Yuan had saddled her with the title of little loli bodyguard and even wanted her to wear some exclusive uniform. It was more unbearable than making her undergo another Heavenly Tribulation. Her twin ponytails swayed lightly with her movements. She looked sweet and charming, but her face was filled with resistance, like a little beast that had been provoked.

Seeing this, Lin Yuan suppressed his laughter and stepped closer. He deliberately leaned toward her, gently poking the thin ice on her arm with a fingertip. "What are you afraid of? No one knows you're a four-hundred-thousand-year soul beast anyway. Besides, if my bodyguard dresses nicely, I'll look good when we go out. Or do you want to keep those twin ponytails and wear a green dress, letting people mistake you for some ordinary young female soul master?"

He paused, then changed his tone, adding a hint of temptation. "Besides, Star Luo City has the finest shops. They can make the perfect clothes—ones that won't affect your use of Soul Power and will make you even cuter." When he said "cuter," he deliberately emphasized the word. His gaze landed on Ice Empress's twin ponytails, and the teasing in his eyes was impossible to conceal.

Ice Empress choked on the word "cute," and her ears reddened. She swatted Lin Yuan's hand away, but she did not bristle as fiercely as before. Lowering her head, she looked at the emerald-green long dress she wore. She had casually formed it when taking human shape, and it truly was not particularly refined. Then she remembered that she was now Lin Yuan's bodyguard. She could not really dress so casually, or she would only embarrass herself if others heard of it.

After struggling for a moment, she turned her face away, a trace of awkwardness flashing through her golden eyes. "You're only allowed to pick the lightest kind. If you dare choose anything gaudy, I'll freeze your mouth shut."

"Don't worry. I guarantee I'll pick something you like." Lin Yuan smiled with crescent eyes and grabbed Ice Empress's wrist. "Come on, let's go now. The sooner we leave, the sooner we return, so Sister Nana doesn't get worried waiting."

Ice Empress stumbled slightly as he pulled her along, yet she did not struggle free. The warmth from his hand made her ears redden further. She could only lower her head and let Lin Yuan lead her toward the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. Her twin ponytails swayed softly with each step, and even the cold aura around her seemed to grow gentler.

Gu Yue Na stood before the wooden house, watching their retreating backs with a gentle smile in her eyes. She lightly shook her head, quietly thinking to herself, When Xiao Yuan comes back, perhaps I should ask him what kind of uniform he picked for Ice Empress.

Elsewhere, Lin Yuan raised a hand and gave a light wave before him. The next moment, the void shattered like glass, and a Space Rift more than ten feet wide opened abruptly. Light and shadow twisted within the rift, and the outline of Star Luo City's bustling streets could faintly be seen. Even a subtle scent of mortal life drifted through the air.

"Let's go, my little loli bodyguard." He stepped aside to make room, mischief glinting in his purple eyes. He deliberately reached out and patted the back of Ice Empress's hand at her side. "Stop standing there. Don't get lost once you go in. The Space Rift won't wait for you."

The pat made the back of Ice Empress's hand tingle, snapping her back to her senses. Yet unlike usual, she did not flare up. Staring at the Space Rift, curiosity flickered through her golden eyes before she quickly suppressed it. She stepped forward with forced composure. "Who would get lost? Hurry up. Don't waste time." As she spoke, her pace unconsciously quickened, and she even edged closer to Lin Yuan. The pride of a four-hundred-thousand-year Fierce Beast would not allow her to show weakness before a Space Rift.

Lin Yuan chuckled at the sight and followed her into the rift. The moment they entered, dense spatial turbulence enveloped them. Icy energy brushed against his skin but was automatically blocked by the nine-colored radiance flowing around him. He turned to Ice Empress beside him and saw her twin ponytails swaying slightly in the turbulence. Her emerald Soul Power had formed a protective barrier, yet tiny ice crystals still gathered at the tips of her hair. It was clearly her first time traveling through space, so some nervousness was inevitable.

"Relax. With me here, the spatial turbulence can't hurt you." Lin Yuan reached out and grasped Ice Empress's wrist. Dragon God Power spread through her meridians, instantly dispelling the chill brought by the turbulence. Even the turbulence beyond her barrier became a little more docile.

Ice Empress's wrist stiffened, but she did not pull away. She lowered her eyes to look at the wrist in Lin Yuan's grasp, the tips of her ears quietly flushing red. Even her breathing softened. The previously raging spatial turbulence truly seemed to become gentler, and she could faintly hear the distant bustle of Star Luo City.

In the blink of an eye, dazzling light appeared ahead. Lin Yuan led Ice Empress swiftly out of the rift, landing steadily in a secluded alley. Beyond the alley was a street packed with carriages and pedestrians. Hawkers called out, horses' hooves clattered, and passersby in all manner of clothing flowed back and forth, displaying the prosperity of Star Luo City.

"We're here. This is near the busiest street in Star Luo City." Lin Yuan released her hand and smoothed the wrinkles at the corner of his clothes. His gaze swept over the silk shop at the alley entrance, where a sign reading "Brocade Pavilion" hung, and the smile in his eyes deepened. "Come on, let's pick your uniform first. Even the Star Luo Imperial Family often comes to this shop for custom orders."

Ice Empress followed his gaze. The silk shop was bustling with customers, and the attendants were smiling as they welcomed and saw off richly dressed guests. The gowns displayed in the windows shimmered with color, far more exquisite than the temporary green dress she had formed. She pressed her lips together, suppressing the faint anticipation in her heart, and deliberately snorted. "Fine, pick something. But let's make this clear first: no lace-covered nonsense, and nothing too long. It can't interfere with my fighting."

"Got it, my beautiful little loli bodyguard." Lin Yuan deliberately drew out his words, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and half-pushed, half-pulled her out of the alley. "I guarantee I'll choose something that lets you fight easily while making you even cuter. After all, my bodyguard can't make me lose face."

"You're still saying it!" Ice Empress reached out to push him away, but he firmly held her shoulder. The warmth of his palm seeped through the fabric, making her pause. In the end, she only shot him a light glare and stopped struggling, letting him tug her toward the silk shop. Even her twin ponytails swayed in reluctant arcs.

The silk shop attendant had sharp eyes. Seeing the two approach, he immediately greeted them with a smile. "Welcome inside, honored guests! What would you like? We've just received the newest cloud brocade, perfect for dresses or cloaks!"

At that, Lin Yuan lightly tapped his Soul Tool Storage Ring. A faintly glowing scroll appeared out of thin air. He unfolded it, revealing an exquisite maid outfit design drawn in crisp black-and-white lines: a short black skirt that reached just above the knees, its edges trimmed with delicate white lace; a fitted white blouse on top, with a black bow tied at the collar and lace decorating the cuffs; most eye-catching of all was the removable black satin bow at the back, with two long streamers hanging beneath it; a wide black belt at the waist accentuated the figure without hindering movement.

"Make it according to this design. Use the lightest Ice Silkworm Silk—it needs to be breathable and resistant to scratches. Replace the lace on the cuffs and skirt with a more durable dark-patterned version." Lin Yuan pointed at the design, his tone resolute. "Also, add a pair of black ankle boots. The soles need to be non-slip, and sew a ring of white lace around the tops to match the outfit."

The attendant's eyes lit up at once when he saw the design. "Excellent taste, young master! We happen to have Ice Silkworm Silk in stock, and the dark-patterned lace can be embroidered immediately. It'll be ready in half an hour at the earliest!" As he spoke, he hurriedly called for an apprentice to fetch the materials, while he himself approached Ice Empress eagerly with a measuring tape. "Miss, let's take your measurements first."

Ice Empress froze in place, her golden eyes fixed fiercely on the lace trim in the design. The chill around her instantly soared, and even the silks in the shop frosted over. "Lin! Yuan! Did you do this on purpose? This isn't a bodyguard uniform at all—it's something little girls wear!" She had lived for four hundred thousand years. She had never seen lace before, much less clothing this elaborate. The thought of wearing it made her ears burn scarlet, and her hands unconsciously clenched the hem of her skirt.

"How is it not a bodyguard uniform?" Lin Yuan raised a brow and gently tugged one of her twin ponytails. "Look, the short skirt makes it easy for you to fight. Ice Silkworm Silk is lightweight and scratch-resistant, and the belt keeps the clothes in place so they won't get in your way. It's very practical. Besides, black and white is a classic combination. With your twin ponytails, doesn't it make you look adorable?" He deliberately stressed the word "adorable" and tapped the bow on the design with his fingertip. "This bow is removable, so take it off if you find it troublesome. But the boots and lace must stay, or how could it be called an exclusive uniform?"

Ice Empress was rendered speechless by his argument, but the ring of lace on the design still made her feel uncomfortable. The attendant stood to one side with the measuring tape, and seeing the two at an impasse, wisely did not dare interrupt. He merely quietly hid the tape behind his back.

"I... if I wear this and Di Tian sees me, they'll definitely laugh at me." Ice Empress held it in for a long while before finally forcing out those words. There was a faint, nearly imperceptible grievance in her tone, and even the chill around her weakened somewhat. She did not care about humans' opinions, but she feared being mocked by her companions in the Star Dou Great Forest. The dignity of a four-hundred-thousand-year Fierce Beast could not be ruined by a single outfit.

"They won't. They wouldn't dare laugh." Lin Yuan reached out and rubbed the twin ponytails atop her head, his fingertips brushing through the soft strands as his tone turned gentler. "If Biji and Sister Zi Ji dare say another word, I'll change all their clothes into maid outfits matching yours and let them experience what it feels like to be 'cute bodyguards' too."

The moment he said that, Ice Empress's tense shoulders relaxed somewhat. She imagined Biji in a lace maid outfit and Zi Ji awkwardly tugging at her skirt. A trace of amusement slipped into her golden eyes, and even the redness at her ears faded a little.

"You said it. Don't you dare go back on your word later." She gave a soft snort, effectively accepting the outfit, though she still turned her face away and deliberately refused to look at Lin Yuan. "Take my measurements, then. Make it quickly, so we can go back early. I don't want to stay here too long."

Seeing this, the attendant hurried forward with a smile. The measuring tape moved nimbly over Ice Empress's body. Though she felt somewhat uncomfortable, she stood obediently still. When the attendant measured her waist and abdomen, however, she unconsciously tensed her body, and the tips of her ears quietly turned pink again. Lin Yuan leaned against a nearby counter, watching her say one thing while meaning another, the smile at his lips never fading.

"Make ten sets in total according to her measurements. Money is no issue." Lin Yuan flicked his fingers, and a heavy bag of Gold Soul Coins landed on the counter with a crisp clatter.

The attendant weighed the money pouch in his hand, his eyes shining as though they might emit light. He immediately bowed and nodded repeatedly. "Rest assured! Ten identical sets, made from only the finest Ice Silkworm Silk. I'll have the embroiderers work extra hours on the dark-patterned lace. I guarantee you can collect them in half an hour!" With that, he clutched the design and measuring tape and hurried toward the workshop in the rear courtyard, so eager that he no longer had any interest in greeting other customers.

Ice Empress looked at Lin Yuan ordering ten sets at once, astonishment filling her golden eyes. "Why order so many? One set is enough for me."

"Just in case." Lin Yuan walked to her side and brushed away a stray silk thread from her shoulder, teasing in his tone. "If you tear your clothes while fighting, you can't exactly let my little loli bodyguard wear tattered clothes and embarrass herself, can you? It's convenient to have extra sets ready to change into." He paused, his gaze falling on her twin ponytails, a gleam of mischief flashing in his eyes. "Besides, you look so good in this outfit. Having a few more sets will be pleasing to my eyes too."

Ice Empress's ears heated up. She swatted his hand away but did not refute his words about her looking good. She merely turned to look at the silks in the window, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum. "You always have so many excuses." Though she said that, she quietly straightened her back, and even the cold aura around her softened.