62: Even as a ghost, I'm still romantic.

These Three Old Ancestors were precisely the "clients" who had signed a Ten-Thousand-Year Service Contract with Chu Ye.

Originally, due to flaws in their Cultivation Technique and old injuries, their Dao Foundation was on the verge of collapse, their Lifespan was running out, and Breakthrough was hopeless.

Chu Ye fulfilled his promise. Through communication, he successfully triggered a System reward—this time, a rather rare special Magical Artifact dropped, and he bestowed upon them the breakthrough pill, helping them achieve Breakthrough in one fell swoop. Not only did they save their lives, but they all stepped into the Emperor Realm!

They knew better than anyone that their new lives and glory today depended entirely on Chu Ye's whim.

Ancestral dignity or feminine reserve were completely worthless in the face of genuine survival and power.

They were even more "dedicated" and "appreciative" than women from other major forces, carefully anticipating Chu Ye's preferences and serving him diligently, hoping only to gain a bit more "favor," perhaps paving the way for further advancement in the future.

Seeing them so "sensible," Chu Ye naturally did not hesitate to give rewards; for example, the dropped Magical Artifact was bestowed upon them. Both parties got what they needed, focusing on long-term mutual benefit and pleasant cooperation.

Inside the Secret Realm, spring scenery and dao rhyme flew together, and schemes shared the same color as desire.

Chu Ye's career as a "hot commodity" in the Central Domain thus unfolded vibrantly amidst the desires, calculations, and sacrifices of various powers.

And he was clearly the most carefree banker and the biggest winner in this game.

Just as Chu Ye was immersed in this carefree life of "leveling up while lying down and selecting consorts for favor."

His Imperial Father, Chu Tianxing, went even further, creating a Bidding Ranking System—the family that presented the more generous gifts and showed greater sincerity would have their "candidate" prioritized on Chu Ye's "schedule."

For a time, the "Tribute List" of the Great Chu Empire was comparable to the catalog of a top-tier auction house.

While Chu Ye enjoyed the pleasure of "work," gaining various strange rewards and special equipment by completing System tasks, his cultivation also rose steadily through this "diligent effort," and before he knew it, he had already achieved Breakthrough to the Saint Realm!

If this news were known to those old monsters outside who had painstakingly cultivated for hundreds or even thousands of years, they would likely be so angry they'd spit up three liters of blood.

They would curse the Heavenly Dao for being unfair: Why can some people level up just by "sleeping," while we struggle to advance even after cultivating in seclusion until we go bald?

Of course, the objects of his "favor" were currently mainly concentrated in the Central Domain.

It wasn't that the women of the other Four Domains didn't want to "advance"; it was simply because the current Co-Ruler of the Four Domains was Empress.

And the fact that Her Majesty the Empress Empress was Chu Ye's Legitimate Dao Companion was no longer a secret.

Before Empress made any clear statement or arrangements, who would dare bypass this decisive and ruthless Empress to "seduce" Chu Ye?

That would simply be asking for death.

Two months passed in such carefree days.

That night, Chu Ye was leaning on the couch, flipping through the latest "Bidding Ranking List" with great interest, pondering whose "card" he should turn over tonight.

Near the Midnight Hour, the palace doors silently opened.

A peerlessly graceful figure, clad in a black dragon-patterned imperial robe, slowly walked in, carrying the slight chill of the night wind and an indescribable pressure. It was Empress herself!

Her Majesty the Empress raised her Phoenix eyes slightly, swept over the Jade Slip in Chu Ye's hand—which resembled a "Roll Call"—and glanced at the lingering ambiguous warm fragrance in the room. Her red lips curved into a half-smile, half-sneer, and her tone was mixed with mockery and sourness:

"This Empress thought Your Highness was toiling day and night, already enjoying yourself too much to think of home, perhaps drunk and dying in some beauty's gentle embrace, forgetting what day it is."

Seeing her like this, Chu Ye was not intimidated; instead, he laughed more unrestrainedly and tossed the Jade Slip in his hand.

He said lazily, "Your Majesty, your words are mistaken. As the saying goes, 'I would die beneath the peony flower, even as a ghost, I'll be romantic.' Such blissful days are blessings others can only dream of."

Empress snorted coldly, too lazy to bicker with him further. Her expression grew slightly stern as she cut to the chase: "I couldn't care less who you consort with. But recently, you need to restrain yourself and be cautious."

She stepped forward, her voice heavy, "This Empress received Secret Intelligence that those truly top-tier powers in the Central Domain are secretly dissatisfied seeing you stir up the waters so muddily, and they have even begun discussing forming an alliance."

Her gaze was sharp as she stared at Chu Ye: "If your Heavenly Mandate Marriage Fate Physique cannot be used by them, then they will... capture and imprison you, treating you as a public instrument."

"At that point, I fear you won't be able to 'be romantic' even if you want to. You might be reduced to a 'Public Cauldron' for the Elders and Old Ancestors of various families to Breakthrough their Bottlenecks, suffering day and night."

Hearing this, the miserable image of himself being "used" in rotation like a "Human Charging Treasure" immediately flashed through Chu Ye's mind, causing him to shiver.

This was far more terrifying than dying in the arms of a beauty!

He dropped his joking demeanor, his eyes rolling, and instead looked at Empress with a hint of inquiry, reaching out to gently hook Her Majesty the Empress's smooth chin: "Your Majesty... you must have laid plans in the Central Domain long ago, haven't you? To be able to uncover such Secret Intelligence, your ambition is not small."

Empress slapped his hand away but did not deny it. She stated frankly, "This Empress's heart has never changed. I shall unify the continent within my lifetime. Although the Four Domains are gradually merging, even with the combined strength of the Four Domains, the chance of victory against the Central Domain's ten thousand years of heritage remains slim. Without your sudden emergence, this wish would be nearly impossible."

She paused, "Precisely because of this, this Empress needs to be more cautious, temporarily holding back our military edge and instead widely deploying Hidden Agents for infiltration and investigation. This warning is one of those results."

Chu Ye understood.

The ambition of the woman before him had never been extinguished, nor had her actions ever ceased. Regardless of whether her warning was driven by public duty or private affection, he accepted her intent.

"It seems Your Majesty genuinely cares about me and fears I might be captured and used as 'Public Resources'."

Chu Ye smiled, flipped his hand, and produced two ancient-looking Jade Boxes, handing them to Empress.

One box opened, revealing nine Medicinal Pills the size of longans, suffused with purple Qi: Emperor Realm Breakthrough Pills.

The other box opened, containing nine Medicinal Pills shimmering with golden light and faintly visible Dao Patterns: nine revolutions sublimation pills.

"These two items can help nine people achieve Breakthrough and become Emperors, and cause nine people to undergo a complete transformation, enhancing their Aptitude and potential. Your Majesty should use them carefully; they can be used to cultivate trusted subordinates and strengthen your Foundation."

Chu Ye's tone was casual, as if he were just giving away ordinary candy.

Empress looked at the two boxes of peerless Medicinal Pills before her—enough to cause bloody chaos and drive countless forces mad in the outside world—and her expression instantly became extremely complicated.

She raised her eyes, gazing at the Young Man before her who was always frivolous yet always produced world-shaking items. Her red lips moved slightly, but in the end, she only silently accepted the Jade Boxes.

The moment her fingertips touched the coolness of the boxes, a warmth inexplicably rose in her heart.

Chu Ye took in her subtle reaction, suddenly spread his arms, and without explanation, pulled this majestic Empress into his embrace.

His warm breath brushed her sensitive earlobe, and he whispered with a mischievous smile:

"If Your Majesty feels unworthy of receiving them, or wishes to 'repay' me in some small way... why not stay tonight?"