88: Do you like me?

“You Ruoli!”

“Imperial Heavenly Monarch!”

“Hmph!”

At the Great Qian border, Xiao Chen's eyes were filled with resentment as he gazed back toward Qianyuan City.

He no longer dared to take a single step into Great Qian.

For an Imperial Heavenly Monarch, taking a life within their territory was as easy as turning over a hand... Great Qian had already become a forbidden zone for Xiao Chen.

“Revered Master, what exactly is the background of that Longevity Being?”

Inside the heaven swallowing seed, Ancestor Feng was equally bewildered.

“It is truly inconceivable. There shouldn't be any Longevity Beings in the Immortal Ancient era...”

“Could it be... that they came from that legendary place!?”

Ancestor Feng's voice suddenly turned startled.

“Where is this legendary place you speak of, Revered Master?”

“That is a world belonging to Longevity Beings. You are still far from it; there is no need to delve too deep.”

“Remember, stay far away from Great Qian in the future.”

“No matter where that Longevity Being came from, they are not someone you can provoke!”

Xiao Chen felt a bit bitter in his heart.

Why? Why didn't he have such a background!

Dammit!

“There is a change in the Imperial City. Everyone's eyes will be gathered there, and no one will pay attention to anything else. This is your chance.”

“Go to the Shenji Domain, Cultivate diligently, and find that divine weapon. In the future, when you step into my Realm, a mere You Ruoli will be nothing...”

Xiao Chen's face was grim. “I understand, Revered Master.”

With one last glare at Great Qian, his figure gradually vanished... Great Qian Imperial Palace.

Qin Tian felt dazed, his face wet as if someone was gently wiping it.

His eyelids fluttered as he struggled to open them.

A blurry figure came into view.

“Qin Tian, you're awake!?”

You Ruoli's voice rang out in pleasant surprise.

“Fortunately... I'm still alive...”

“This feeling of weakness... is really unpleasant...”

Qin Tian's pupils regained focus as he murmured.

From the corner of his eye, he saw You Ruoli wearing a beautiful gown, holding a silk handkerchief near his cheek.

He was slightly stunned.

Was Her Majesty the Empress wiping his face?

?

Couldn't this be left to a palace maid?

“Are you feeling better?” You Ruoli looked worried. “You have been unconscious for over forty days. Even with spiritual power being channeled into you day and night, there was no improvement. If not for the remaining flame of life in your body, I would have thought you...”

“I won't die that easily.” Qin Tian struggled to lift the corners of his pale lips into a smile.

“Where are Revered Master and the others?”

Hearing this, You Ruoli spoke softly, “Your Grandmaster took several of your Junior Sisters to the Imperial City. As for your Revered Master...”

“What happened to Revered Master? ...Cough, cough...”

Qin Tian's heart suddenly tightened!

“Don't get agitated. Your Revered Master is fine; she is right here in the Great Qian Imperial Palace.”

Phew.

Qin Tian breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she was okay... “She wanted to see you, but I didn't allow it.” A strange look flashed through You Ruoli's eyes.

“Qin Tian, I want to ask you something.”

Qin Tian was puzzled. “What is it?”

“You... why did you help me?”

“We are partners. It's only natural to help you,” Qin Tian smiled.

You Ruoli's gaze was deep, her hair falling softly as her red lips curved into an exquisite arc.

“Is that so?”

“But a treasure that could grant you such power... there probably isn't a second one in the entire Immortal Ancient world.”

“Would you use it just because of our cooperation?”

“Do you believe that? Senior... Longevity Being...”

As she finished speaking, You Ruoli leaned forward, sitting directly on the bed.

Her grand peaks pressed against his chest, soft and somewhat suffocating.

Their eyes met as she slowly lowered her head until their faces were incredibly close.

“What... are you doing...?” Qin Tian was stunned.

Could someone explain what was going on?

“Look into my eyes!”

Qin Tian blanked for a moment and subconsciously looked.

Her golden pupils were watery and vivid; her willow-leaf brows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, their sword-like sharpness mixed with a calligraphic softness... Her gaze shimmered as her jade-like lips parted slightly.

An intimate voice drifted past his ear.

“Do you... like me?”

Qin Tian: “?”

He was stunned for a long time.

He pondered the meaning of those words... You Ruoli's gaze didn't waver, as if she were waiting for his answer.

“Uh, Your Majesty the Empress, you shouldn't joke about such things...” Qin Tian subconsciously turned his head away.

“Oh, really?”

You Ruoli's eyes flickered slightly.

“But,”

“I”

“have already taken a fancy to you!”

“I'm not joking at all...”

?

Before Qin Tian could react.

A jade hand gently caressed his cheek, turning his face back to center.

That watery gaze met his eyes again.

The majesty of an Empress was gone, replaced only by the softness of a woman.

Qin Tian's breath hitched, completely frozen in place.

Before he could process it.

Mwah!

A faint fragrance teased his nose, her hair tickled his cheeks with a slight itch, and a touch of warmth came from his lips, making it unforgettable... Qin Tian was dumbfounded.

If nothing unexpected happened.

It seemed he had been...

Forced into a kiss by You Ruoli...?

And it was the kind he couldn't resist... “Oh no!”

After a few breaths, Qin Tian felt a surge of blood and Qi.

Already weak, his condition was now even worse.

His aura surged violently.

Qin Tian's vision went black.

He fainted directly... In his daze, he seemed to hear You Ruoli's urgent shouts and the sound of a door being kicked open...

[Congratulations Host, forty-nine days have passed. The weakness period has ended, recovery in progress...]

[Congratulations Host, successfully helped You Ruoli Breakthrough to the Creation Realm. 'Imperial Heavenly Monarch' task complete. Mysterious reward being issued...]

[Congratulations Host, obtained mysterious reward: 'tear of chaos x1'.]

[Congratulations Host, minor reversal of destiny achieved. Great Villain You Ruoli's strength has greatly increased. Xiao Chen's Destiny Halo weakened by 5%...]

[Congratulations Host, obtained a small amount of destiny. Chosen Great Cannon Fodder Villain Halo increased by 5%...]

[Congratulations Host, cumulative destiny reached 10%. 'Chosen Great Cannon Fodder Villain Halo' has evolved into 'Chosen Great Villain Halo'.]

[Congratulations Host, cumulative destiny reached 10%. Unlocked new son of destiny: 'Xuan Xiao'.]

In his daze, a series of notifications rang in Qin Tian's mind.

At the same time, a cool stream of spiritual power flowed through his lower abdomen, spreading throughout his entire body.

Slowly opening his eyes, Qin Tian could feel his body regaining its vitality.

By the bed was a familiar, elegant figure in white.

“Revered Master...”

“Tian'er! You're awake!”

The anxiety in Yun Xi's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by endless joy.

“I made Revered Master worry.” Qin Tian slowly sat up. “Your Disciple is fine now.”

Nearby, You Ruoli's figure quietly appeared.

However, she had donned her Empress's majesty once again.

Qin Tian subconsciously looked over.

To him, that tender kiss felt like it had just happened... However,

You Ruoli acted as if nothing had happened.

Her emotions were completely hidden.

“Since you've just woken up, stay in the palace for a few more days. It won't be too late to leave then.”

Hearing this, Yun Xi's eyes darkened.

“There is no need. Since Tian'er has awakened, as his Revered Master, I will naturally ensure his safety.”

“There's no need for Her Majesty the Empress to trouble herself.”

Qin Tian was startled.

He felt like... Revered Master was in a bad mood?

“Qin Tian, what do you say? Will you rest for a few more days, or set out immediately?” You Ruoli's gaze shifted to him.

Yun Xi also turned her head slightly, waiting for his answer.

Qin Tian was stunned.

What on earth happened while he was unconscious?

Why did he feel... a hint of hostility between Revered Master and You Ruoli...?

...