Acknowledging a master, Great Yu's first male empress?!

Qi Zhaoyue set Myriad Karma Dao-Severing on the stone table and gently pushed it toward Xu Changsheng.

Then she said mildly, "I don't know whether the legend is true."

"The saber is yours. You can investigate it yourself."

"But..."

"The main reason I took action personally this time wasn't for Myriad Karma Dao-Severing."

"I don't want to lie to you."

Xu Changsheng did not answer. Instead, he slowly reached out to grasp Myriad Karma Dao-Severing.

The instant his fingertips touched the sheath, the supreme saber intent that had lain dormant for millions of years spilled incessantly through it.

"What a fine saber!"

Xu Changsheng marveled once more, slowly drawing Myriad Karma Dao-Severing three inches from its sheath.

Clang-

A low, clear saber cry rippled outward, not piercing to the ears, yet carrying a chill that penetrated the soul.

Half the blade lay exposed beneath the faint light, its entire surface a deep, inky black, smooth as a mirror, without the slightest superfluous ornamentation...

Only blood-colored lightning coursed along its edge, like a primordial beast lying dormant.

However...

Xu Changsheng sensed no trace of the Limitless Dharma-Seeking Immortal Lord's Dao arts imprint.

After pondering briefly, Xu Changsheng raised his hand, extended his forefinger, and gently drew it across the cool edge. A crimson bead of blood fell softly onto the pitch-black blade.

In an instant, something miraculous happened.

The moment Xu Changsheng's bright red bead of blood touched Myriad Karma Dao-Severing, the pitch-black blade absorbed it completely.

Immediately afterward, the entire saber trembled slightly. The blood-colored lightning flowing through the patterns on its blade suddenly brightened, then swiftly withdrew, returning to stillness.

At that moment, Xu Changsheng could clearly feel...

A wondrous connection had formed between him and this Tang-style straight saber, Myriad Karma Dao-Severing.

No incantation, no spiritual power to drive it, no technique for wielding it was needed.

With a thought from him-

Hum-!

Myriad Karma Dao-Severing, which he had been holding with only three inches drawn, actually broke free of his grasp on its own and slowly rose into the air, following his will.

The pitch-black blade hovered steadily in midair, its tip dipping slightly, fine blood-colored markings flickering in the faint light.

"A divine weapon acknowledging its master?!"

Qi Zhaoyue watched the scene with a faint note of wonder.

"Even without the slightest cultivation, you're still a born martial prodigy. You could still win over this divine weapon, which the Nether Night Sect couldn't use despite enshrining it for ten thousand years."

At her words, Xu Changsheng gave a somewhat meaningful smile.

Then he quickly regained his composure and said mildly, "The legend really was true..."

"Myriad Karma Dao-Severing truly requires neither cultivating spiritual power nor learning sword- or saber-control arts. A single thought is enough to control it at will."

"Return!"

Whoosh-!

The next instant, Myriad Karma Dao-Severing sheathed itself.

Satisfied, Xu Changsheng set Myriad Karma Dao-Severing back on the table. Only then did he raise his head again to look at Ye Luoxue.

"I knew it. How could Your Highness, the lofty eldest princess of Great Yu, personally act just because I asked..."

"I would."

Before Xu Changsheng could finish, Qi Zhaoyue had already risen.

In her golden high heels, she slowly walked over to Xu Changsheng and sat on his lap, cutting him off.

Qi Zhaoyue's warm, delicate body pressed against Xu Changsheng, and her faint, cool fragrance wafted toward him.

"Oh?"

Xu Changsheng quietly gazed into Qi Zhaoyue's cold, world-weary eyes.

Qi Zhaoyue looked back at Xu Changsheng and repeated, "I said..."

"I would!"

"I owe you this."

"However much you resent me, it doesn't matter. But I still want you to understand..."

Qi Zhaoyue extended her fair fingers and gently stroked Xu Changsheng's cheek. "You will be the father of my future child, the only man ever to have me, Qi Zhaoyue."

"I won't keep you locked up forever, either."

"Once my cultivation reaches the Fourteenth Realm, and I no longer fear the world knowing what makes you special, I'll let you leave Lotus Grotto-Heaven."

"And I'll hold a grand, glorious wedding for you and take you as my bride."

"I'll become the Great Yu Dynasty's first female emperor, and you'll become the Great Yu Dynasty's first and only male empress."

"Our child will be the Great Yu Dynasty's next sovereign."

Looking at Qi Zhaoyue's earnest expression, Xu Changsheng pressed his lips together.

After a moment of silence, he raised his hand and gently pinched Qi Zhaoyue's chin. "Take me as your bride?"

"That's not right."

"I should be taking you as mine."

At that, Xu Changsheng shook his head again. "No. Once I'm strong enough to surpass you, I'll lock you in Lotus Grotto-Heaven for a hundred years."

"I'll let you taste what it's like to be imprisoned, too, and make you my very own..."

Qi Zhaoyue's expression remained impassive. Looking into Xu Changsheng's eyes, she said earnestly:

"As long as your strength truly surpasses mine, I'll willingly let you lock me in Lotus Grotto-Heaven and become your very own little dog."

As she spoke, she lifted her head slightly, leaned toward Xu Changsheng's lips, and gave them a gentle bite.

Only when she had bitten through Xu Changsheng's lip and a trace of blood seeped out did Qi Zhaoyue release him. She licked the blood from her own lips and said with utter confidence:

"But I believe that day will never come!"

Xu Changsheng smiled confidently as well. "Then let's wait and see!"

With that, Xu Changsheng scooped Qi Zhaoyue into his arms, and she slipped her arms around his neck.

Soon, the two reached the flowers beside the pavilion.

Bright moonlight spilled down, enveloping the entire flower bed in a silvery glow.

The evening breeze swept past, and white lotus petals drifted down like falling snow.

Xu Changsheng gently set Qi Zhaoyue on the swing.

The swing swayed gently, and Qi Zhaoyue's long black hair hung behind her, fluttering in the breeze.

Xu Changsheng lowered his head and sucked at Qi Zhaoyue's exquisite, snow-white collarbone, exploring downward little by little...

Qi Zhaoyue tilted her head back slightly, her slender neck tracing an elegant curve. Her gaze grew hazy, and her red lips parted slightly, releasing soft, broken gasps.

"Oh, Xu Changsheng."

Qi Zhaoyue suddenly spoke again, a hint of languid nasality in her voice.

"Hmm?"

Xu Changsheng raised his head and looked at her in puzzlement.

"That artifact I refined for you-remember to put one in Ye Luoxue next time, too."

Qi Zhaoyue spoke with a rare hint of complaint in her voice, without the facade she wore before outsiders.

"She laughed at me just now. I'm furious..."

Hearing that, Xu Changsheng immediately laughed happily. He reached out and pinched Qi Zhaoyue's flushed cheek.

"All right. I understand."

"Mmm~!"

Qi Zhaoyue nodded in satisfaction.

She rose from the swing and waved her hand slightly.

The next instant, the dark golden dress on her body vanished.

Beneath the moonlight, amid the flowers, she stood there completely naked.

Bright moonlight spilled over her fair, delicate skin, casting a faint silvery glow. She resembled an immortal maiden above the nine heavens, untouched by the mortal world, yet bearing a trace of deadly allure.

Her skin surpassed snow, her figure was graceful, and every inch of her curves was flawless.

Her long black hair fell loose over her shoulders, forming a stark contrast with her snow-white skin.

Then Qi Zhaoyue sat back down on the swing.

Tilting her head slightly, she looked at Xu Changsheng standing before her and extended a slender, fair finger tipped with a red-painted nail toward him...

And gently beckoned!