53: Chapter 53 Having tasted its essence, the Empress's heart is in turmoil.

"Ten... ten days to half a month?"

Phoenix Unrivaled's voice stammered slightly as she looked at Su Yun, her mind buzzing.

Every single day?

This... this was simply scandalous!

She, the dignified Empress of Wu Zhou, was expected to sneak into this man's room every night and do such... such shameless things with him?

If word got out, where would she hide her face? Where would the face of the entire Wu Zhou Imperial Family go?

"What? Is Your Majesty unwilling?"

Su Yun was overjoyed seeing her look of shame and indignation, yet he maintained an innocent and helpless expression on his face.

"If Your Majesty is unwilling, then let's forget it. This life of mine was picked up by chance anyway; at worst, I'll just be tortured by the cold poison again. It's just death, one way or another."

As he spoke, he put on a show of sighing, appearing open-minded and indifferent toward life and death.

"It's just a pity for Your Majesty, having finally found an Opportunity for a Breakthrough, only to give up halfway. The Late Stage of Spirit Transformation... to let it slip away like that is truly... a pity, a pity."

Su Yun's words were like a precision hammer, striking Phoenix Unrivaled's most vulnerable spot over and over.

Breakthrough!

Yes, a Breakthrough!

Those two words flashed through Phoenix Unrivaled's mind instantly.

She had just personally experienced the pleasure of her cultivation rapidly increasing; how could she easily give up that excitement of touching the threshold of a higher Realm?

How much blood and effort had she expended to reach her current Middle Stage of Soul Transformation?

Now, a heaven-sent Opportunity was right before her eyes. As long as... as long as she cast aside that ridiculous reserve and pride, she could reach the heavens in a single step!

Compared to becoming a top powerhouse of the continent and ensuring the Wu Zhou Empire's prosperity for ten thousand generations, what did sacrificing a bit of personal reputation matter?

Furthermore...

Phoenix Unrivaled couldn't help but recall the sensation of their Dual Cultivation just now.

That ultimate pleasure of two forces blending within her body, making her very Soul tremble, had given her a taste of the sweetness that was impossible to forget.

Her body seemed to crave the next 'treatment' even more than her reason did.

"I..."

Phoenix Unrivaled's inner self was locked in a battle between heaven and man.

Reason told her she should refuse immediately and leave with a flick of her sleeves to maintain her dignity as Empress.

But emotion and desire were like vines, tightly entangling her and making it impossible to move her feet.

"Your Majesty need not be troubled."

Su Yun saw her struggle and decided to add more fuel to the fire.

"This matter is of great importance and indeed requires careful consideration. How about Your Majesty goes back to think it over? It won't be too late to give me an answer once you've decided."

The more generous and understanding he appeared, the more anxious Phoenix Unrivaled became.

Think it over?

What was there to think about!

What if he changed his mind once she left? What if he found someone else?

Although the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body was one in ten thousand, who knew if there were other special Physiques within this Mysterious Maiden Sect?

No!

This man, this Opportunity—she had to grasp them firmly in her hands!

"No need to think!"

Phoenix Unrivaled gritted her teeth and made her decision.

"I agree!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was filled with an unquestionable resolve.

"Only..."

She looked at Su Yun, her face carrying a hint of shame and a warning.

"This matter must never be known by a fourth person besides the two of us and Sister Frost! Otherwise, even if it means my cultivation regresses, I will kill you!"

"That goes without saying."

Su Yun nodded with a smile.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I want this leaked even less than you do. After all, I don't want my legs broken by the Sect Master."

He made a joke, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Phoenix Unrivaled was in no mood to laugh; her mind was currently a tangled mess.

"Then... then when do we... continue?" she asked in a small voice, her face flushing.

"No rush."

Su Yun waved his hand.

"Let's stop here for today. Your Majesty should go back to consolidate your cultivation first, and I also need to adjust my breathing. Come back tomorrow night at this same time."

"Fine."

Phoenix Unrivaled nodded, threw on her imperial robes as if escaping, and hurriedly left the Icy Jade Chamber.

Watching her flustered silhouette depart, the smile on Su Yun's face could no longer be suppressed.

"Handled."

He stretched, feeling refreshed all over.

Dealing with a self-proclaimed clever Empress was far more interesting than fighting a Life-and-death battle.

He could feel that Phoenix Unrivaled's heart was already in disarray.

...

After returning to her temporary palace at the foot of the mountain, Phoenix Unrivaled immediately dismissed all her maids and guards, locking herself alone in her Sleeping Quarters.

Walking to the mirror, she looked at the woman inside with a flushed face and eyes full of desire, feeling utterly unfamiliar.

Was this still that decisive, majestic, and cold Empress of Wu Zhou?

She reached out and touched her burning cheeks, her mind constantly replaying everything that had happened in the jade chamber.

That man's overbearing nature, his strength, his mockery, and those eyes so deep they could suck a person in...

As well as that pleasure that made her Soul tremble during their Dual Cultivation.

"Phoenix Unrivaled, oh Phoenix Unrivaled, you have truly fallen."

Phoenix Unrivaled smiled bitterly at her reflection.

For power, for a Breakthrough, she actually made such a deal with a man.

However, she did not regret it.

In this world where the strong were respected, only absolute power could bring absolute security and dignity.

As long as she could become stronger, what did paying a small price matter?

Phoenix Unrivaled continued to hypnotize and convince herself in her heart.

She told herself that everything she was doing was for the future of the Wu Zhou Empire and to escape Lin Aotian's control.

Between her and Lin Chen, it was a pure exchange of interests, a collaboration.

Yes, just a collaboration.

Absolutely no personal feelings involved.

...

Meanwhile, at the Mysterious Maiden Sect's Xiuyun Peak.

Inside Lin Rou's Sleeping Quarters, Liu Yuqin was also present.

The two stunning women sat opposite each other, but the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

"Junior Martial Uncle Lin, what do you think... has been wrong with Her Majesty the Empress these past two days? Why does she keep running over to Revered Master's place?"

Liu Yuqin frowned, asking with some concern.

Ever since Phoenix Unrivaled arrived at the Mysterious Maiden Sect that day, she had spent almost every day at Hanpo Peak under the guise of discussing important matters.

And every time she went, she dismissed everyone and talked with Leng Hanshuang for half the day.

This made them feel that something was very wrong.

"I don't know either."

Lin Rou shook her head, her face also carrying a hint of worry.

"We both know Frost's temperament; she has always disliked being close to people. Even if she and the Empress are old acquaintances, it shouldn't reach the point of being inseparable."

"The most critical point is,"

Liu Yuqin lowered her voice.

"When I saw Her Majesty coming out of Hanpo Peak today, her complexion was rosy, her steps were light, and her eyes... her eyes looked a bit off. It was as if..."

"As if what?"

"As if... she had just been nourished by a man."

Liu Yuqin's own face turned red as she said those words.

Upon hearing this, Lin Rou's expression also changed.

They were both experienced women and naturally understood what Liu Yuqin meant.

But how was that possible?

On Hanpo Peak, besides Leng Hanshuang and some female Disciples, there was only one man...

Xiao Chen!

A terrifying thought rose simultaneously in the hearts of the two women.

"No... that can't be, right?" Lin Rou's voice was a bit dry. "Su Yun... how could he and Her Majesty..."

"I also hope I'm overthinking it."

Liu Yuqin gave a bitter smile.

"However, Her Majesty possesses the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, while Su Yun has the Nine Yang Sacred Body... since ancient times, these two Physiques have been..."

She didn't continue, but the meaning was already clear.

Lin Rou's heart instantly sank to the bottom.

She remembered the scene at Hanpo Peak that day, where the three of them had argued incessantly over Su Yun.

The final agreement was that each person would take turns controlling Su Yun for three days.

Leng Hanshuang had taken the lead, but only a few days had passed. How did Phoenix Unrivaled get involved?

Could it be that Leng Hanshuang... in order to win over the Empress, had... sold Lin Chen out?

As soon as this thought appeared, Lin Rou startled herself.

But the more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed!

"No, I have to go find Leng Hanshuang and ask her clearly!" Lin Rou suddenly stood up.

"Junior Martial Uncle, don't be impulsive!"

Liu Yuqin quickly pulled her back.

"We have no evidence right now. If we go and question her like this and it turns out to be a mistake, won't it ruin our harmony?"

"Then what do you suggest? Are we just going to watch helplessly as Xiao Chen is snatched away by that woman?" Lin Rou was anxious.

Liu Yuqin pondered for a moment, a sharp light flashing in her eyes.

"We... might be able to go ask someone else."

"Who?"

"Lin Chen."