The morning breeze in the private lotus courtyard was silent, save for the pathetic, soft groans of four Supreme Frost Sect elders currently cuddling each other on the cold stone floor in a hallucinatory, romantic stupor.
Saintess Ji Xue was still frozen in mid-air, her slender, alabaster-white leg held firmly in Lu Chen’s warm grasp. Her long raven hair disheveled, her pale cheeks flushed a violent shade of crimson, and her proud Core Formation aura completely vanished under the weight of utter, crushing embarrassment.
"L-Lu Chen..." Ji Xue squeaked, her voice trembling as she struggled to maintain a shred of her sacred Saintess dignity. "If you... if you do not unhand my leg this instant... my Supreme Frost Sect will wage an immortal war against your Lu Clan!"
Lu Chen didn't flinch. Instead, his glowing purple eyes curved into a dangerously charming, villainous smirk. He leaned in even closer, until his nose almost brushed against hers, his low, magnetic voice dropping into a velvety whisper.
"An immortal war?" Lu Chen chuckled softly, his thumb gently stroking her smooth ankle, causing a violent shiver to run down Ji Xue’s spine. "Miss Ji Xue, take a look at your four grand elders. They inhaled my Blood-Boiling Aphrodisiac Powder. Right now, they believe they are hugging celestial fairies."
Ji Xue’s eyes darted toward the floor, watching her respected elders cooing softly and patting each other’s iron armor. Her face burned so hot she felt like she might faint on the spot.
"Now imagine..." Lu Chen continued, his warm breath brushing against her delicate ear, making her silver earrings jingle softly. "What would happen if I took a spiritual record orb... captured this lovely sight of the four elders and their proud Saintess hanging upside down by her leg... and distributed ten thousand copies across every major tavern in the Southern Domain?"
Ji Xue gasped, her breath catching in her throat. Her heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird.
"You... you wouldn't dare!" she stammered, her cold eyes trembling with sheer horror. "That... that would destroy our sect's reputation for a thousand years!"
"I am a merchant prince, my dear," Lu Chen smirked, his purple eyes gleaming with endless cunning. "I dare do anything that brings me profit. However... I am also a man of peace and deep, compassionate mercy."
He slowly lowered her leg, allowing her feet to touch the ground again, but before she could retreat, he stepped closer, gently wrapping a slender arm around her waist to support her off-balance body.
Ji Xue stiffened completely, her hands instinctively pressing against his firm chest to keep some distance, though she felt completely powerless against his smooth charm.
"Here is my peaceful offer," Lu Chen whispered, tilting his head. "First, your Supreme Frost Sect will sign a ninety-nine year non-aggression pact with the Lu Imperial Guild, handing over the mining rights to three of your northern spiritual jade mountains. Second... you, Saintess Ji Xue, shall remain at the Lu Estate as an official 'honored guest' to oversee the treaty."
"Oversee the treaty?!" Ji Xue squeaked, her face practically glowing red. "You... you want me to stay here?! As your hostage?!"
"Not a hostage, my beautiful Saintess," Lu Chen murmured smoothly, reaching up with his free hand to gently tuck a stray strand of raven hair behind her burning ear. "As my guest. So I can personally teach you how to properly greet your host."
[Ding!]
[Quest Update: Absolute Non-Lethal Victory Achieved!]
[Target Ji Xue's Pride: Shattered!]
[Target Ji Xue's Mind: 100% Flustered & Confused!]
[System Rewards Issued: 30,000 System Points, 1x Imperial Grade Phantom Displacement Boots!]
Before Ji Xue could attempt to process her chaotic emotions, a loud, booming laugh shattered the tension in the courtyard.
"HAHAHAHA! EXCELLENT! ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT!"
Patriarch Lu Tian marched into the courtyard, flanked by Madam Lin and a dozen imperial shadow guards. The grand Patriarch looked at the four wrestling elders on the floor, then at Saintess Ji Xue pinned softly against his son’s chest, and slapped his thigh in sheer delight.
"As expected of my son!" Lu Tian roared, tossing a golden silk scroll directly at Ji Xue's feet. "Saintess Ji Xue! The treaty is already prepared! Sign it, and we will provide the antidote for your four... enthusiastic elders!"
Madam Lin stepped forward, fanning herself with a proud, regal smile as she looked at Ji Xue.
"Oh, what a lovely girl," Madam Lin hummed softly, her sharp eyes calculating every detail. "So spirited! Don't worry, child. Living at our estate will do you good. My Chen'er's courtyard has plenty of luxury guest rooms right next to his!"
Ji Xue looked at the treaty scroll, then at the grinning Patriarch, and finally up into Lu Chen’s intoxicating purple eyes. She knew she had been completely trapped, cornered, and outplayed in every single aspect.
With a helpless, defeated sigh, Ji Xue bit her lip, channeled a drop of her finger blood, and pressed her imprint onto the scroll.
"I... I yield..." Ji Xue whispered, her head bowing low to hide her deep blush.
"A wise decision," Lu Chen smiled angelicly. He turned toward the shadow of the courtyard. "Qingxian, please show Saintess Ji Xue to her new quarters... right next to mine."
Ye Qingxian stepped out from the shade of the peach tree. Her lithe figure in dark blue combat silk was perfectly composed, but her ice-blue eyes flickered with a subtle, sharp spark of jealousy as she looked at Ji Xue.
"Understood, Young Master," Ye Qingxian said, her voice unusually crisp and cool. She walked over to Ji Xue, bowing slightly. "Miss Ji Xue... please follow me. I shall ensure you are... comfortable."
As Ye Qingxian led the flustered Saintess away, she subtly cast a backward glance at Lu Chen.
Lu Chen caught her eye, flashing her a playful, devious wink that caused the silver-haired shadow guard to miss a step, her own pale cheeks instantly warming up under her cool persona.
Later that evening, inside Lu Chen’s private chamber.
Lu Chen sat cross-legged on a plush velvet cushion, looking at his golden System interface floating in mid-air.
[Host: Lu Chen]
[Current System Points: 55,000]
[Equipped Artifacts: Primordial Pure Bone, Heavenly Fortune Stealing Mirror, Imperial Grade Phantom Displacement Boots]
Lu Chen smiled warmly, withdrawing a pair of sleek, silver-embroidered boots from his spatial ring—the Imperial Grade Phantom Displacement Boots. The moment he put them on, a surge of spatial laws wrapped around his feet, granting him the ability to instantaneously teleport up to fifty meters without consuming a single drop of spiritual energy!
Knock, knock.
The light oak door creaked open softly.
Ye Qingxian walked into the room carrying a tray of warm lotus broth. Her long silver hair was untied, spilling over her lithe shoulders like shimmering moonlight, and her dark blue silk robes looked softer, revealing her delicate collarbones.
"Young Master," Ye Qingxian murmured softly, setting the tray on his wooden table. "Saintess Ji Xue has settled into the eastern wing. Her elders have recovered from the... potion, and have departed back to the Northern Peaks to report to their Sect Master."
"Good," Lu Chen said, standing up and taking a slow step toward her.
Ye Qingxian kept her eyes lowered, but her hands tightened slightly against her silk dress. "Young Master... if I may ask... do you truly intend to keep Saintess Ji Xue by your side?"
Lu Chen stopped right in front of her. He reached out, gently cupping her chin and lifting her face until her ice-blue eyes met his glowing purple ones.
"Are you jealous, my sweet Qingxian?" Lu Chen asked softly, a low, irresistible smirk playing on his lips.
Ye Qingxian’s breath hitched. A beautiful, rosy blush bloomed across her porcelain skin. "I... I am merely your shadow guard, Young Master. It is not my place to be jealous."
"Is that so?" Lu Chen whispered, leaning in closer until his lips hovered barely a millimeter from hers, his voice dropping into a deep, velvety register that made her heart race at dangerous speeds. "Then why is my shadow's heart beating so fast right now?"
Ye Qingxian’s silver eyelashes fluttered wildly. Before she could answer, a loud, urgent chime echoed in Lu Chen’s mind!
[Ding!]
[System Regional Alert!]
[Upcoming Event: The Grand Imperial Alchemy Conference (Central Capital)!]
[Threat Detected: Young Master Gu Feng of the Ancient Pill Clan!]
[Details: Gu Feng possesses an ancient Divine Flame and claims his new 'Supreme Cleansing Pill' can neutralize any poison or potion in the world. He has publicly announced that he will expose all 'unorthodox alchemists' and humiliate the Lu Clan at the conference!]
Lu Chen’s lips curved into a magnificent, menacing smile as he read the system prompt.
He pulled back slightly, tapping Ye Qingxian’s blushing nose with a gentle finger.
"Qingxian," Lu Chen chuckled softly, his purple eyes sparkling with chaotic brilliance. "Prepare my travel carriage. Tomorrow, we head to the Central Capital. It seems an arrogant Young Master from an Ancient Pill Clan wants to test if his 'Divine Pill' can cure my new 'Truth-Spilling Hiccup Powder'!"