Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

During the entire morning, Qin Yu stayed by Little Ling’er’s side, sometimes reading storybooks to the Empress Dowager, other times playing chess with her for entertainment.

However, today felt particularly hard to endure.

For some unknown reason, Little Ling’er’s mood seemed to change; she tended to stick close to Qin Yu, and what was more troublesome were her occasional affectionate gestures, which made Qin Yu feel quite hot under the collar.

After all, he is not made of stone.

Let me ask, when such a beautiful young girl leans on your shoulder, could you possibly remain indifferent?!

In any case, Qin Yu could not.

”Ling’er, it’s getting late, you should rest now.”

At sunset, Qin Yu gently patted Little Ling’er attached to his arm, reminding her.

”Is it that late already?”

Little Ling’er slightly lifted her head, only to realize the sky was dim, her tiny face showing some disappointment, with an unmissable hint of reluctance in her clear eyes.

”Brother Qin Yu, can I go back with you?”

Suddenly, Little Ling’er asked.

”This... might not be suitable?”

Qin Yu was startled.

It is not that he was unwilling to bring this little one back to his Lifebound Space.

But she is, after all, the Princess; accompanying during the day is supposedly to help her suppress the Power of Dao Rhyme within her, but taking the Princess back at night...

This, Qin Yu truly never considered.

”What’s the harm in that? I’ll go too!”

At the side, the Empress Dowager’s eyes suddenly lit up as she chimed in.

”I’m afraid the Empress won’t agree.”

Looking at the Empress Dowager, who was eager to stir up trouble, Qin Yu suddenly felt a headache.

Pure and lively like a little fairy, and another like a moonlit goddess, sacred and inviolable yet infinitely charming... who could refuse.

Moreover, if they enter the Lifebound Space, doesn’t that mean...

Better not to imagine, better not to imagine!

Their status is simply too high, needless to say, the Empress knowing would surely rebuke.

Upon hearing the Empress’s name, the Empress Dowager was obviously intimidated, yet she seemed eager to leave Jade Flower Palace and also wished to be with Little Ling’er, eventually suggesting tentatively:

”Why not, you... you go and talk to her?”

”Me?”

Qin Yu’s lips twitched slightly.

If he were to propose, wouldn’t the Empress suspect he had improper intentions towards Little Ling’er and the Empress Dowager?!

Given the Empress’s methods, if enraged, one stomp from her peerless legs, how could his Third Layer Pure Yang Divine Body withstand it?!

”What are you afraid of? You are a Tributor...”

The Empress Dowager paused here, seemingly recalling something, her brows furrowed.

It seems...

That tributor named Lingtian Peak was always being beaten by the Empress, surviving up till now is proof of his resilience.

Perhaps that’s why that barbarian might look somewhat clumsy.

If Qin Yu were beaten, with his strength, could he survive?!

”As long as you communicate sincerely, the Empress might, probably, maybe not beat you.”

The Empress Dowager sympathetically glanced up and down at Qin Yu, saying earnestly.

She wanted to leave, to be with Little Ling’er and Qin Yu, but couldn’t let Qin Yu be inexplicably beaten.

She had to honestly inform him of the risk!

”...”

Qin Yu felt a tingle on his scalp, seeing the Empress Dowager’s expression could guess a little, swallowed, and asked: ”The Empress beats the Tributor?”

”Yes, you’ve met Lingtian Peak, beaten many times, three of his palaces have been flattened, he’s likely living outside the palace now.”

The Empress Dowager nodded.

”???”

Qin Yu was utterly shocked, Lingtian Peak, that fiery-tempered figure who rushed to Great Chu Immortal Country, fighting one against two fiercely?!

Even the sense of pressure from him showed he was a giant greater than King of Thunder, such a person being beaten by the Empress to submission?

Qin Yu certainly did not think himself more resilient than Lingtian Peak.

After all, that guy looked rough and thick-skinned.

”Honestly, if you talk persistently enough, the Empress might agree.”

Seeing Qin Yu’s fearful expression, the Empress Dowager continued to encourage.

Facing her eager expression, Qin Yu truly wanted to ask... Why don’t you personally ask.

Besides, that saying goes persistent persuasion, right?!

What do you mean by that?

The Empress Dowager still overestimates him.

After pondering over and over, Qin Yu restrained himself.

In the future, once there’s a chance, with great effort, hinting it to the Empress might be feasible, for now, it’s better not to entertain such reckless thoughts.

”Brother Qin Yu, could you carry me to the bedchamber?”

Little Ling’er felt a bit disappointed but didn’t wish to trouble Qin Yu, lightly nuzzled her small head into his arm, speaking softly.

Today Qin Yu didn’t intentionally keep his distance, sometimes, the way he looked at her was as fiery as when he peeked at the Empress Dowager.

Her heart felt sweet and joyful.

Qin Yu initially wanted to refuse, yet he couldn’t help but recall the question Little Ling’er had asked when they first met this morning.

After hesitating repeatedly.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager did not obstruct, and seemed to find it unsurprising.

Finally.

Qin Yu paused for a moment.

Seemingly waiting for something.

The Empress did not appear.

Neither did the Flame Guards.

Only then did Qin Yu agree.

He didn’t believe that this place wasn’t within that Empress’s perception.

Since there were no signs...

Does that count as tacit approval?!

Moreover, he indeed had no impure thoughts toward Little Ling’er.

He gently bent down, his hand gracefully slipping under Little Ling’er’s slender legs, in an almost protective gesture, he lifted her gently.

At that moment, it was as if a gentle breeze carrying a maiden’s unique fragrance quietly swept through his sensory world.

Leaving one feeling utterly refreshed.

He looked down, gazing at the shy yet slightly alarmed expression of the girl in his arms, an indescribable urge surged within him, nearly unable to resist the desire to lightly kiss that petal-soft, tender small mouth of hers.

And at this moment, Little Ling’er’s heart felt like a thousand little deers were running wild inside.

She could clearly feel the warmth on her neck, causing her skin to unconsciously blush faintly pink.

She shyly lowered her head, deeply burying her little face into Qin Yu’s chest.

The Empress Dowager walked in front, she and the Empress often held Little Ling’er like this, oblivious to anything inappropriate.

”Leave it to me.”

Once back in the bedchamber, the Empress Dowager had already taken a seat on the bed from the other side, gracefully bending, extending her arms to take Little Ling’er from Qin Yu’s hands.

Qin Yu looked down from above, his gaze meeting a vista the Great Phoenix couldn’t conceal.

Such a scene seemed like the most beautiful things in the world were all gathered upon the Empress Dowager, originally with some composure, he could no longer contain himself, standing in solemn reverence.

”Oh?”

Little Ling’er clearly felt something unusual against her back; just when she intended to reach out her little hand to remove it, Qin Yu suddenly recollected himself, quickly averting his gaze, gently placing Little Ling’er into the Empress Dowager’s arms.