Jiang HuanYu's Bold Declaration
"I came to find you, naturally, to have you bear my children," Jiang HuanYu said with a sincere smile.
"My dear consort."
On hearing this, Xiao Qingli's expression immediately darkened, her face turning pitch black with anger, her eyes flashing with a murderous glint.
"Consort? A woman with such a temper, it's bad for your yin-yang balance. Be careful, or you might upset your cycle," Jiang HuanYu quipped casually, his tone teasing.
"Scoundrel!"
Xiao Qingli gritted her teeth in fury, her face livid. Once, she had stood atop the world as the Nine Nether Empress. No man would dare disrespect her, let alone tease her. But now, she found herself being openly humiliated.
Xiao Qingli's Escape Attempt
"Nine Nether Sky Flash!"
Knowing she was no match for a Heavenly Realm cultivator, Xiao Qingli seized the moment when Jiang HuanYu blinked. She unleashed her exclusive technique, her figure splitting into nine afterimages that darted in different directions at incredible speed. Each streak of light shot thousands of meters away in an instant.
"Not bad for the former Nine Nether Empress," Jiang HuanYu mused, standing still as he watched her escape.
"With such speed at the Profound Realm peak, it's unlikely anyone in the Northern Domain could rival her."
Despite his admiration, Jiang HuanYu raised his palm leisurely. A tremendous suction force burst from it, like a black hole pulling everything toward its center.
Before Xiao Qingli could get far, her nine figures were abruptly yanked back.
"Break!"
Jiang HuanYu waved his hand, shattering eight of the illusions, leaving only her true form. The real Xiao Qingli was pulled into his arms, where he locked her waist firmly.
He leaned in slightly, inhaling near her collarbone.
"Smells wonderful," he said with a mischievous grin.
"You rogue!" Xiao Qingli snapped, glaring at him in fury.
"Ah, my dear empress," Jiang HuanYu teased, "to bully a mere Profound Realm cultivator? Is that what you're upset about? Tell me, who would dare mock me, the emperor of Jiang? If they do, I'll simply erase them."
His grip tightened slightly as he added, "And let's be honest you're no mere cultivator. You're the reincarnation of the Nine Nether Empress, a woman who once stood at the pinnacle of the world."
"To have a mother of such stature for my children, how could I ask for more?" Jiang HuanYu whispered, his tone low and compelling, as his fingers gently lifted her chin.
Xiao Qingli's Shock and Bargain
Xiao Qingli trembled at his words, her face reflecting both astonishment and unease.
"Y-you… you know who I truly am?!"
Her heart raced as she realized Jiang HuanYu had seen through her past identity as the Nine Nether Empress. She hadn't expected anyone in this remote Northern Domain to possess such insight.
"Since you know who I am," Xiao Qingli began, regaining her composure, "let's make a deal. Let me go, and I'll share the treasures of an empress, Emperor Pills, Emperor Weapons, Supreme Emperor Sutras, and more. All of it can be yours."
Her voice was calm and cold, radiating the innate dignity of someone who once ruled an empire.
Jiang HuanYu, however, shook his head.
"Unfortunately, I'm not interested in emperor sutras or treasures," he said.
"What interests me most is you."
Xiao Qingli clenched her fists, her rage barely contained.
"Jiang HuanYu, you must understand the consequences of provoking an empress!" she hissed.
Jiang HuanYu chuckled.
"Even if you were still an empress today, you'd still bear my children," he said, his hand striking her firm, round thigh with a loud slap.
"Smack!"
The sound echoed across the ruined palace grounds.
"My dear consort," Jiang HuanYu mused, "every part of you is so… full of vitality."
"Jiang HuanYu!!" Xiao Qingli roared, her face flushed red whether from fury or embarrassment, she couldn't say.
"Mark my words, if I ever have the chance, I will kill you!"
Jiang HuanYu's Confidence
Jiang HuanYu dismissed her threat with a smile. While Xiao Qingli's cultivation talent was unparalleled, there was no way she could catch up to him.
Currently, Jiang HuanYu's Heavenly Realm cultivation placed him leagues ahead, with a combat ability capable of contending against those at the Seventh Heaven. By the time Xiao Qingli reached the Heavenly Realm, he would likely have already ascended to sainthood.
Jiang HuanYu's composure remained unshaken. Hatred could easily transform into affection with time, and he believed that as they spent more time together, Xiao Qingli would eventually fall for him.
"You still dare insult me?" Jiang HuanYu said lightly, pulling a small branch into his hand.
He flipped Xiao Qingli over and restrained her with a burst of power. The branch lashed out, striking her mercilessly.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Smack! Smack! Smack!
The branch made sharp, cracking sounds as it struck her.
"You scoundrel! You bastard!" Xiao Qingli cried out, her voice filled with fury and shame.
"I will make you pay for this…!"
The blows didn't harm her physically, but they dealt a devastating blow to her pride. The humiliation was unbearable.
For the once-proud Nine Nether Empress, who had commanded respect and fear across the world, to be treated this way was a torment she couldn't accept.
A Temporary Peace
After a while, Jiang HuanYu finally stopped, his arm sore from swinging the branch. Xiao Qingli glared at him with pure hatred in her eyes.
Jiang HuanYu wasn't fazed. He knew that if she had the chance, she would seek vengeance without hesitation. But he remained confident she wouldn't get that opportunity.
"Alright, my dear consort," Jiang HuanYu said with a faint smile.
"Since you have no further objections, it's time for us to leave. Believe me, being my woman will be the greatest blessing of your life."
Xiao Qingli stood, still seething with anger. She crossed her arms, refusing to meet his gaze. After a long silence, she spat venomously, "Fine. But don't think I'll let this go. I will make you pay."
Her defiance only amused Jiang HuanYu. The sight of the proud empress acting like a sulking young woman struck him as endearing.
"Let's go, then," Jiang HuanYu said with a wave of his hand.
With a flick of his wrist, he took Xiao Qingli and vanished from the ruins of the Grand Dream Dynasty.