183: Chapter 183 Regaining the Emperor's Might! The old feeling is back!

Morning light spilled in through the cracks of the spirit jade window lattice, landing on the ice-silk quilt and carving out a line of gold.

The golden line extended from the edge of the bed, illuminating Ye Qingluan's back.

Her long cyan hair was scattered across the pillow, spreading from her shoulder blades to the dimple of her lower back, with a few strands tangled around Lu Chen's arm.

She lay on her side, curled up facing Lu Chen, her hands tucked against her chest, knees slightly bent, her whole body huddled into a ball.

The morning light outlined the lines from her back to her waist—from the butterfly wings of her shoulder blades to the depression of her lower back, and then to the curve supported by her hip bones—distinct and well-defined.

The Revered Master-Servant Divine Pattern on her lower abdomen had quieted down, its pink light soft and steady, appearing and disappearing with her breathing.

A body forged through thousands of years of Cultivation; every inch of it could stand the test of the sunlight.

Lu Chen lay on his back, right hand behind his head, left hand resting on his abdomen.

His eyes were half-open and half-closed, but the light deep within his pupils was extremely bright.

Inside his body, the Great Emperor Law was operating steadily in his Dantian.

The Wind-Fire Spiritual Rhyme had completely merged into the system of Laws, intertwining with the original power of the Dao to form a more harmonious whole.

His Meridians were unobstructed, his Qi and blood were full and vigorous, and his Sea of Consciousness was clear and limpid.

Not only that, Lu Chen closed his eyes and sensed himself.

It was stable; he had regained the feeling and rhythm of the battles he used to have with Fairies.

The invincible him was back; his old rhythm control seemed to be slowly returning—not much, but enough!

Lu Chen slowly sat up.

He looked down at the mess on the bed, then at Ye Qingluan curled up beside him.

His mouth curved into a grin; a huge profit.

Lu Chen took a clean, loose Black Robe from his Storage Ring and draped it over himself casually.

He unhooked the wine gourd from his waist, pulled the stopper, and took a swig of immortal brew.

As the liquid went down his throat, the spicy heat was followed by a sweet aftertaste, warming all his Meridians.

"Now that this Emperor's strength has recovered, I don't care who you are; I'll handle anyone who comes."

After bragging, he took another swig.

A rustling sound came from behind him.

Ye Qingluan had woken up.

The moment her phoenix eyes opened, her pupils were unfocused for half a breath before rapidly focusing.

Memories of last night replayed frame by frame: from the onset of her breeding period to bursting into the bedchamber, from kneeling before the bed to being turned over and pinned down, from the first time to who knows how many times.

Her ears turned red instantly.

But Ye Qingluan did not cover her face, did not scream, and did not even pull the quilt to cover anything.

She simply turned over and sat up, kneeling on the bed.

Her long cyan hair draped over her shoulders, covering some parts, but what remained exposed was far more than what was covered.

A large expanse of skin below her collarbone was exposed to the morning light; the marks left from last night had not yet faded, with red traces extending from her neck to further down.

She couldn't care about that.

Ye Qingluan crawled on her knees to behind Lu Chen, raised her hands, and placed her slender fingers on his shoulders to begin straightening the Black Robe he had casually draped on.

She straightened the collar, closed the lapels, wrapped the sash tight, and tied a neat knot.

Her movements were skillful, her posture respectful, and her gaze focused; from beginning to end, she never looked up at his face.

Lu Chen turned his head to glance at her.

The divine bird, the Phoenix, was currently kneeling behind him, tidying his clothes, as obedient as a newly tamed sparrow.

He extended his left hand, naturally reaching backward, wanting to pat her head.

However, his palm landed on a full and elastic spot.

Ye Qingluan's body trembled, a very faint gasp escaping her throat; her fingers paused on his sash for half a breath, then she continued tying it.

She didn't dodge, didn't block, and didn't say a word.

Lu Chen realized something was wrong! There were assets, so he immediately withdrew his hand, stood up, and strode toward the palace gate.

He pushed open the palace doors, and the morning light flooded in.

Two Ye family maids were waiting outside, wearing light purple servant dresses.

Seeing Lu Chen walk out in high spirits, they both bowed in salute. When they looked up, their gazes swept over his open collar, then quickly dropped, their ears turning red.

"Greetings, Emperor Yun."

A small figure came running from the end of the corridor, her footsteps hurried and fast, full of youthful vitality.

Ye Qingxian.

"Revered Master! You're finally up! I've been waiting outside for so long!"

She ran up to Lu Chen, her big eyes darting a glance into the palace chamber behind him, and her pupils contracted slightly.

Ye Qingluan was walking out from inside the palace.

She had changed back into her black silk soft armor and Phoenix feather skirt, her long hair pinned up, and the Phoenix tail feather Divine Pattern between her brows glimmering with a faint light in the morning sun.

Except for a trace of abnormal redness remaining at the corners of her eyes, she looked no different than usual.

"Aunt Qing?"

Ye Qingxian tilted her head.

"Why are you in Revered Master's bedchamber?"

Ye Qingluan's phoenix eyes swept over Ye Qingxian, her expression unchanged.

"The Family Head sent me to invite Emperor Yun to the Council Hall to discuss the matters regarding your apprenticeship ceremony."

Her voice had returned to the cold and arrogant tone she used during the day, revealing no flaws.

"The specific scale, which factions to invite, whether the Yunxiao Holy Land will send representatives to observe, and which peak to hold the venue on—all need Emperor Yun to make the final decision."

Ye Qingxian nodded, not thinking too much about it.

"Let's go, let's go! Revered Master, hurry! I want the biggest and most magnificent apprenticeship ceremony!"

She tugged at Lu Chen's sleeve, dragging him forward. Lu Chen stumbled a step and reached out to flick her forehead.

"What's the rush? It's not being held today."

Ye Qingluan followed three steps behind, her phoenix eyes fixed on Lu Chen's back.

Broad shoulders, narrow waist, relaxed gait, his Black Robe billowing slightly in the morning breeze.

Her fingers unconsciously clenched her sleeve, then relaxed.

The sensation from last night still lingered on her body; from her fingertips to her toes, she remembered every inch.

---

The corridors along the way connected the suspended walkways between the seven peaks, flanked by spiritual springs and waterfalls, with rich Spiritual Qi.

Ye family disciples walked through in twos and threes. Upon seeing Lu Chen's figure, they all stopped, retreated to the sides of the walkway, and bowed in salute.

"Greetings, Emperor Yun!"

Not a single person dared to look up and meet his gaze.

Almost the entire Ye family had witnessed yesterday's battle.

This Great Emperor crushed the Family Head as if it were a game.

Lu Chen walked by with his hands behind his back, a gentle smile on his lips.

Comfortable.

This was the style a Great Emperor Peak should have—showing off in front of the juniors!

---

The Council Hall was built on the summit of the first main peak. The palace was magnificent, with nine heaven-reaching spirit pillars supporting the dome, and the Spiritual Qi inside swirled like mist.

When Lu Chen stepped into the hall, it was already filled with people.

The two Great Emperor Old Ancestors, Third Ancestor Ye Wuji and Fifth Ancestor Su Yaoxian, were seated in the grand chairs at the deepest part of the hall, with tea sets on the tables in front of them, clearly having waited for a while.

Everyone stood up in unison when they saw Lu Chen.

"Welcome, Emperor Yun!"

Third Ancestor Ye Wuji cupped his hands first, Fifth Ancestor Su Yaoxian bowed slightly, and Ye Cangsong led the Elders in a bow.

Such a low posture and humble attitude would have been unimaginable before yesterday.

Lu Chen waved his hand and strode toward the main seat in the center to sit down.

Ye Qingxian automatically moved a chair to sit beside him, her big eyes blinking as she looked around.

Ye Cangsong spoke first:

"Emperor Yun, regarding Qingxian's apprenticeship ceremony, we have discussed a preliminary plan. Please take a look, Emperor Yun."

Lu Chen took the Jade Slip and scanned it with his Divine Sense.

The scale was not low.

They were inviting various factions from the Central Region to observe, with invitations sent to the Eastern Wasteland Region, the Southern Li Realm, the Northern Xuan Realm, and even several major clans from the Endless Demon Sea were on the list.

Third Ancestor Ye Wuji added:

"This matter concerns the Ye family's face and Qingxian's future, so we must not be careless. My meaning is, will the Yunxiao Holy Land under Emperor Yun's command send anyone to attend?"

Lu Chen thought for a moment.

If that old Senior Brother Mo Wentian knew he had taken another apprentice in the Central Region, he would probably nag for three days and three nights.

"They will come."

The people in the hall were energized.

The Yunxiao Holy Land—a force that every power in the world wanted to win over. If they sent people to observe, the weight of Ye Qingxian's apprenticeship ceremony would be maximized.

Ye Cangsong asked further:

"Which peak should the venue be set on?"

"The first peak."

Third Ancestor Ye Wuji made the final decision immediately.

"Use the highest specifications, open the outer perimeter of the seven peaks, and host guests from all directions."

The Elders nodded one after another and began discussing the specific details of the arrangements.

Lu Chen leaned back in his chair, eyes half-closed, listening half-heartedly.

Footsteps came from the palace entrance.

Ye Lanxi had arrived.

Today, she had changed into a tight purple Phoenix robe with a high collar and a narrow waist, the skirt cinched until below the knees before flaring out.

This Phoenix robe outlined her lines from shoulders to waist to hips without any obstruction, especially the curve at the junction of her waist and hips, where the tight fabric pulled into an excessively smooth curve.

Her long hair was tied into a high bun, revealing a slender, fair neck, with a pair of amethyst spirit earrings dangling from her earlobes, swaying gently with her steps.

She stepped into the hall, her aura fully unleashed, exuding the full majesty of the Ye family head.

But the moment she saw Lu Chen, her steps faltered for half a beat.

A flash of panic crossed her phoenix eyes, so fast that only Lu Chen's Broken Illusion Divine Eye could catch it.

Her gaze slid from his face to his chest, then bounced back to his face; her throat moved slightly as she swallowed.

Then, Ye Lanxi resumed her normal pace and walked to the seat on the right to sit down.

She picked up her tea cup, covering half her face, her phoenix eyes lowered, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

Lu Chen swept a glance at her from the corner of his eye.

This woman's state today was not right.

That battle maniac from yesterday who was so arrogant that she wanted to "fight again"—why were her eyes dodging and weaving today?

Sensing his gaze, Ye Lanxi raised her tea cup even higher, almost blocking her entire face.

Behind the tea cup, she bit her lower lip, her ears burning hot.

Last night, alone in her bedchamber, she felt that Lu Chen was not simple; later, after drinking half a pot of wine, her mind was full of the stories from the illusion array.

Then she did something that made her want to dig a hole and hide in it right now.

She had lost control all night long, thinking of Lu Chen's figure in her mind.