30: The Witch Queen of "Deep Cultural Exchange"

In his arms, the Witch Queen, who had just undergone a "deep cultural exchange," unlike Ni Chang's cold aloofness and stubbornness, now exuded a unique charm of the Western Regions in her brows and eyes.

Her lotus-like arms were wrapped around Chu Ye's neck, her golden mask long since discarded to some forgotten corner, revealing a bewitchingly beautiful face with a hint of exotic charm. Her voice was clear and ethereal, yet carried a soft plea: "The poison... when can it be cured?"

Chu Ye, while happily continuing to explore the delightful curves in his hands, casually said, "Cured? It's just a thought for me. What's the rush? Inside this hundred phoenix diagram, thirty days are equivalent to one day outside, so there's plenty of time."

He changed the subject, pulling out the immortal realm breakthrough pill, which glowed with iridescent light. "However, I suggest Your Majesty first 'Dual Cultivate and heal' with me to restore your body and cultivation."

"Here, this is an Immortal Grade Breakthrough Pill. Take it, and it guarantees an instant upgrade."

The Witch Queen looked at the Medicinal Pill, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Did Empress... also experience this?"

"Of course," Chu Ye nodded frankly, his fingertip casually tracing the blood pact lines beneath her collarbone that hadn't fully solidified. "Once you've signed the pact, you're my person. Do your part, and resources and rewards will be plentiful."

How could a person like the Witch Queen not understand the subtle warning and underlying meaning in his words?

Her eyes shifted, as if weighing her options, and finally, she made up her mind. Her red lips neared Chu Ye's ear, her breath like orchids, carrying a hint of peculiar seduction: "My Witch God Clan... has a secret technique called 'Spirit Bridge Guidance Art,' which can build a bridge between body and mind, allowing for mutual exchange..." Her voice gradually lowered, the lingering sound tantalizing.

For the next month, Chu Ye profoundly experienced what was meant by "Western Regions charm, vast and profound."

With the Witch Queen's unreserved "devotion" and the blessing of that miraculous secret art, he experienced unprecedented, Soul-shaking ultimate pleasure.

For a full thirty days, apart from necessary meditation, he barely left the "battlefield."

"I finally understand now,"

During a break, Chu Ye embraced the Witch Queen, who was drenched in sweat, and genuinely sighed, "why the Old Ancestors always yearned to 'open up the Western Regions' back then... This cultural treasure is indeed worth deep exploration and study!"

At the end of the month, the hundred phoenix diagram passage reopened.

The Witch Queen who emerged was clad in a brand new, more opulent and mysterious sacrificial robe, her golden mask once again covering her face.

But the ethereal immortal spiritual Qi flowing around her, originating from the same source as Ni Chang, already signified that she had also passed the Immortal Tribulation and officially stepped into the Immortal Realm.

However, her steps were slightly behind Chu Ye's, and her posture was submissive, clearly indicating a change in status.

Facing the twelve Witch Ancestors, who were dispirited and whose memories of the crucial battle had been erased by the Witch Queen's immortal power, Chu Ye cooperated with the Witch Queen to stage a grand drama of "miraculous detoxification."

The Witch Queen once again communicated with the Witch God—in reality, Chu Ye secretly manipulated the hundred phoenix diagram and the Primordial Qi to simulate it—and a sweet rain descended from the heavens, dispelling all the poisonous miasma, and the Western Regions Earth regained vitality.

The people of the Western Regions, who had survived the catastrophe, became even more fanatically devoted to the Witch Queen who had "turned the tide."

However, when this highly revered Witch Queen returned to her bed-chamber, dismissed her attendants, and closed the door—

"Rip!"

Her beautiful sacrificial robe was unceremoniously torn open by someone.

Chu Ye pressed her against the door, almost roughly taking possession of the goddess who had just saved the Western Regions once more.

The Witch Queen, however, was not angry, and even actively reciprocated.

She was very clear about her position: only those who recognize the times are heroes. Sacrificing herself for the safety of the Western Regions people and the continuation of the Witch Clan Legacy was already the best outcome at present.

What's more, this man indeed granted her an immortal Dao future she dared not even dream of. Her feelings for him were complex and difficult to articulate, but at least in bed, she chose to comply, and even... tried to enjoy it.

As the storm subsided, Chu Ye played with the Witch Queen's sweat-dampened dark hair, his fingertips tracing her strands, and casually said, "Oh, Ni Chang sent a message. She's inviting me to discuss the 'next integration plan' tomorrow."

"It seems Her Majesty the Empress is already impatient to begin her grand unification."

The Witch Queen lay in his arms, and hearing this, her red lips curved into a faint, ambiguous arc, and she softly replied, "As Young Master arranges..."

Deep within the Witch Queen's bed-chamber, bright pearls illuminated the space, and exotic fragrances wafted gently.

Empress and the Witch Queen sat opposite each other; the former in a cold black robe, with extraordinary immortal grace; the latter in a beautiful sacrificial robe, her face hidden by a mask, only a pair of deep eyes revealing complex emotions.

Chu Ye leaned casually on a soft couch not far away, toying with a jade cup, watching this "Double Phoenix Meeting" with great interest.

"Since the foundation for integration has been laid, the specific strategy needs to be clear."

Empress spoke directly, her voice like ice and jade clashing, without any circumlocution. "The Witch God faith in the Western Regions is deeply rooted; forced alteration will inevitably lead to chaos. The key is 'gradual erosion and gentle guidance.'"

"Great Qin can temporarily permit the continued existence of Witch God totems and respect their rituals, but the emblem of the Great Qin Empire and Your Majesty's honored name must be clearly inscribed at the beginning of all sacrifices, codes, and official documents."

"Let the symbol of 'Qin' penetrate the hearts of the people before 'Witch God.' This is the first step in cultural unification, prioritizing the fact of the Empire's existence over spiritual totems."

The Witch Queen listened silently, her fingertips lightly tracing the intricate patterns on the sacrificial robe on her lap. She slowly said, "I have no objection to Your Majesty's proposed cultural erosion. However, the Witch Clan Legacy spans tens of thousands of years, involving not just faith, but also Bloodline memory and the Way of survival."

"This is the bottom line; it cannot be severed. Great Qin's culture, systems, and techniques can enter the Western Regions, but they must be like spring rain nourishing things, subtly influencing, rather than a torrent washing away, destroying houses and uprooting foundations."

"The people of the Western Regions are simple yet resolute. If they sense the danger of cultural extinction, they may choose to perish together."

She raised her eyes to look at Empress, her tone becoming more solemn: "Furthermore, to truly gain the loyalty of the Western Regions people, it cannot rely on a decree or military deterrence."

"It requires benevolence to the people, fairness to gain trust, and actions to prove that Great Qin's governance is superior to the former Witch God's rule."

"Building water conservancy, reducing taxes, opening trade routes, punishing evil and promoting good... all these things require years of effort to truly benefit the common people, only then will there be genuine, heartfelt recognition."

"To conquer with force can gain territory; to subdue with virtue can win the hearts of the people."

Both were women of peerless beauty and extraordinary wisdom, and although they were negotiating, their words subtly contained veiled challenges.

Empress, with the might of her new victory and Immortal Realm strength, spoke broadly and expansively, focusing on the grand unified future of the entire Eastern and Western Regions, displaying immense ambition and strategic planning.

The Witch Queen, as the representative of the defeated side, though in a disadvantaged position, firmly held onto the bottom line of her clan's Legacy and the welfare of her people, fighting for every inch and overcoming rigidity with flexibility.

Each time she raised concerns and conditions, she was safeguarding the fundamental interests of the Western Regions, yet cleverly packaged her 'resistance' as suggestions 'more beneficial to Great Qin's long-term rule.'