"What is this?"
Yuan Ruoyu happily examined the strips of fabric before her. They felt incredibly fine and silky to the touch.
Only after a moment did she notice a small note at the bottom of the box.
Yuan Ruoyu picked it up and read it, but an involuntary blush spread across her cheeks.
The note contained only a few short lines.
Little Fish, it took me a great deal of effort to make these stockings.
There are black stockings, white stockings, purple stockings...
Every color is here. They'll look wonderful on you. I look forward to seeing you again.
When that time comes, heh heh heh...
After reading it, Yuan Ruoyu blushed even more. She laughed, her smile full of charm, and scolded, "You're still as improper as ever!"
Then she came back to herself and sighed. "So this is what black stockings are... They're pretty much what I expected."
Yuan Ruoyu thought of something else that gave her quite a headache.
She had solved the mystery of black stockings.
But how was she supposed to explain it to Great Elder Cang Yuan?
"The Great Elder has astonishing persistence. Even now, he hasn't given up on searching for the slightest clue about black stockings. He's turned over every single text in the Holy Land..."
Yuan Ruoyu said helplessly, "If I don't help him put this obsession to rest, he might risk going astray in his cultivation."
"But if he finds out black stockings are just socks worn on the feet, will he go mad?"
Yuan Ruoyu thought it over, but couldn't come up with a good solution.
For now, she decided to set the matter aside.
Then her gaze fell on the stockings again, and a daring thought came to her.
"Are they really that pretty? I'll try them on and see..."
This was the newly built Holy Venerable Palace. No one would come to disturb her.
Besides, the place was protected by wards and formations, and even spiritual sense couldn't reach inside.
Yuan Ruoyu's cheeks flushed, and her heart began to race. The urge to put them on and try them out grew stronger by the moment.
She picked up a pair of black stockings and finally made up her mind.
Rustle—
Yuan Ruoyu's long dress slipped away, revealing skin as white and smooth as jade. Every curve was a masterpiece of the heavens.
Graceful and flawless!
She lifted a hand and lightly tapped the air before her. Space rippled, and a screen of light appeared, transforming into a mirror.
Yuan Ruoyu looked at her reflection, a hint of pride flashing across her face.
Then she bent down slightly and began pulling on the black stockings, little by little...
She moved slowly and carefully. Perhaps because this was her first time, or perhaps because it meant so much, she seemed especially cautious.
A moment later.
Yuan Ruoyu was fully dressed. When she looked in the mirror again, even she was stunned.
The stockings lent her a hazy beauty, brimming with allure!
And when the black stockings were paired with her snow-white skin, the contrast was striking.
Yuan Ruoyu walked back and forth a few steps, growing more pleased with the sight.
Even a mighty cultivator of her stature still had a heart that loved beauty.
She thought of something and couldn't help laughing as she scolded, "No wonder he couldn't stop thinking about them in his Diary!"
"Hmph!"
"Next time, I'll let you look to your heart's content!"
Yuan Ruoyu added another defiant remark, then put on her long dress without taking off the stockings.
The stockings Lin Feng had left behind were no ordinary things.
Every pair had been carefully refined by Lin Feng and could be called a Dao-grade treasure.
When worn, they could greatly increase her speed and even boost her defense.
But that was only natural. For mighty cultivators, even a random piece of clothing could be a treasure. How could they possibly use ordinary things?
Meanwhile.
After bidding farewell to Yuan Ruoyu, Ye Xi hurried off in another direction.
It was toward a mountainside on the far side of the mountain range.
The Liyue Immortal Dynasty.
They had set up camp there, claiming the entire peak and guarding it closely.
The Black Bird Guard stood watch in layers.
Fortunately, Ye Qingge had given orders in advance. The moment Ye Xi arrived, he was escorted to meet her.
At that moment, Ye Qingge was reclining on a long couch covered in soft beast fur, a chilled wine cup in her hand.
Seeing Ye Xi arrive, she drawled lazily, "You're lucky, kid. If you'd come any later, I'd have castrated you and made you a eunuch!"
Before he could reply,
Ye Qingge added with domineering force, "Your Master wouldn't be able to save you. I'd castrate him too!"
She thought to herself, He hasn't come to see me in so long! What use is he to me anymore?
"..."
Ye Xi's expression shifted, and cold sweat immediately beaded on his forehead. Fortunately, he remembered what his Master, Lin Feng, had told him before leaving.
Ye Xi hurriedly said, "Your disciple, Ye Xi, pays his respects to Mistress!"
"Now that I've seen you, Mistress, I can say you truly are as beautiful as a goddess, unmatched beneath the heavens. No wonder Master mentions you to me every day."
Ye Qingge sat up a little straighter and asked, "Did your Master really say that?"
"Every word is true!"
"Master also said that Mistress Ye is the most understanding and gentle woman he's ever met. Though you're an empress, you aren't domineering in the least. You're wise and mighty, with the bearing of a great emperor!"
"And you never abuse punishment. You have grand ambition and have turned the Liyue Immortal Dynasty into a peaceful and prosperous realm!"
As Ye Qingge listened, a smile appeared on her face. She instructed calmly, "Someone, bring him a seat!"
This move really worked!
Ye Xi let out a sigh of relief, silently praising his Master's uncanny foresight. He had seen it all coming.
Just then,
Ye Qingge's expression turned serious. "You know why I called you here. Tell me, where is your Master now?"
Ye Xi shook his head.
He could only give her a rough account of what he had already told Yuan Ruoyu.
After a long silence,
Ye Qingge looked up again and asked, "So, for now, we can only act according to the Diary he left behind?"
"Exactly!"
Ye Xi said solemnly, "There are many things Master didn't let me know because they involve matters of great importance."
"But..."
As he spoke, a cold look entered Ye Xi's eyes. "As the Diary keeps coming to light, those people will eventually reveal themselves."
Ye Qingge nodded helplessly, but she still felt somewhat frustrated. She hated the feeling of being led around by the nose!
She had always liked to be in control!
No matter what she was doing.
Or where she was!
Still, after this conversation, Ye Qingge knew Lin Feng was definitely safe for now. At last, the worry weighing on her heart eased.
"Don't worry."
A gleam flashed in Ye Qingge's eyes as she thought, I, the Empress, will sweep away every obstacle and await your return!
Seeing that it was about time, Ye Xi suddenly took out an item.
It was another purple-brown box.
Ye Xi offered it with both hands and said respectfully, "Mistress, this is a gift Master prepared especially for you before he left."
"Master put a great deal of thought into this gift!"
A glimmer flashed in Ye Qingge's eyes, but she kept her expression unchanged and said casually, "At least he remembered me. Put it down."
Ye Xi set down the gift, then took his leave.
Once he was far away...
Ye Qingge could no longer keep her composure. Her smile grew brighter and brighter, and she looked as delighted as a little girl.
She hurried over and picked up the box, examining it carefully.
"Hmph, at least you still remember me!"
Ye Qingge felt as if her heart had been sweetened with honey. She was almost giddy with delight.
Then she eagerly opened the box.
Inside lay a leather outfit and a long whip.
The outfit seemed to have been made from the hide of a leopard-like demon beast, and it was patterned with spots.
Without a second thought, Ye Qingge stripped and changed into the leather outfit.
"It fits like a glove!"
Only after putting it on did Ye Qingge realize that every part of the outfit fit her figure perfectly.
It showed off every curve of her figure to the fullest...
She walked over to the mirror and examined herself, her face growing warm.
In the mirror, she looked like a leopard brimming with wildness!
Ye Qingge suddenly thought of something. She picked up the long whip and swung it a few times.
Whoosh—
Crack—
In an instant, her aura changed again. That wild beauty of hers grew even more intense.
Ye Qingge played with it for quite a while before saying, her face flushed, "How did that man come up with such strange combinations?"
"Hehe..."
"But these are two wonderful treasures. I like them!"
Ye Qingge thought of something, her voice turning plaintive. "It's just a shame that I can only admire them by myself for now."
After all, as the Empress, she couldn't exactly go out wearing such a wild and daring leather outfit.
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