76: The proud spirit of the cold moon

Chu Ye lowered his head, looking at her exquisite face inches away, which was covered in a red flush, and teased, "The maid I worked so hard to conquer—if she really made herself a cripple, wouldn't that be boring?"

"These legs..."

He hefted the light but soft and powerless body in his arms, his words carrying a hidden meaning, "I haven't played with them enough yet."

As he spoke, he carried Li Yue, whose body was stiff yet slightly burning because of his words and actions, straight toward the bath at the side of the sleeping palace.

The rising steam and dense mist soon blurred their figures, also masking the prelude to the new round of "negotiations" about to take place within.

Just as she barely managed to shuffle to the door, Chu Ye's voice, carrying a half-smile, came from behind her:

"Wait."

Li Yue's figure paused, and she turned back, not understanding what he meant.

"Look at yourself, slowly lower your head, and look at your own body." Chu Ye leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "It's been a long time since I've admired your body from such a close distance..." He curled his lips, his gaze carrying a hint of playfulness and heat, "Especially after being completely tamed by me."

As he spoke, he held his arms and waited, with patience and a bit of mockery, for the slightly trembling Li Yue to complete that humiliating action under his gaze.

The word "serve" was profound and resounding.

For the next seven days, Li Yue thoroughly practiced the true essence of the blood pact: "absolute obedience."

The once cold and aloof Palace Mistress of Guanghan now cast aside all dignity and reserve before Chu Ye, becoming an exquisite vessel existing only to please her Revered Master.

She put on the thin gauze dresses Chu Ye "suggested," in colors she would never have touched before—crimson and smoky purple.

She studied with awkwardness but ultimate effort, allowing him to brand various techniques into her body's memory during round after round of "guidance" and "development."

She even learned to pour tea and massage his shoulders in a humble posture outside the bedchamber, her beautiful eyes lowered, incomparably submissive.

That unyielding spirit seemed to have been completely shattered and reshaped, leaving only an exquisite shell that habitually catered to him and had an instinctive reaction to Chu Ye's touch and commands.

On the morning of the seventh day, Chu Ye embraced Li Yue, who had just experienced a night of wind and rain and was exhausted yet still subconsciously pressed close to him. He finally relented: "Today, I shall accompany you to the Guanghan Immortal Palace to see that Revered Master of yours."

Upon hearing this, a complex light instantly flashed through Li Yue's hazy eyes—joy, worry, and a deeply hidden sense of humiliation.

She immediately struggled to get up, not caring that she was stark naked, having long since grown accustomed to being completely exposed before him.

She took Chu Ye's clothes and dressed him with gentle, practiced movements, her delicate hands smoothing every wrinkle, her head bowed submissively like the most loyal maidservant.

Chu Ye looked down at her focused service and the exquisite curves that trembled slightly with her movements.

He couldn't resist reaching out, sliding his hand into her lapel as she was tidying his belt.

"Mm..." Li Yue's body stiffened, but she quickly relaxed, even slightly thrusting her chest forward.

To facilitate his actions, her cheeks flushed, yet she didn't dare to offer the slightest resistance or complaint; she only bit her lip and quickened the speed of her dressing.

Chu Ye gave a light laugh before finally withdrawing his hand with lingering interest.

The two arrived at the Guanghan Immortal Palace.

The current Immortal Palace was shrouded in an unusual silence. The once biting cold winds seemed much softer, and the celestial maidens went to and fro with lowered eyes and submissive expressions.

Seeing Palace Mistress Li Yue and Chu Ye arriving together, they all stepped aside and bowed. However, deep in their eyes was hidden an unspeakable fear and a trace of suppressed, barely perceptible restlessness.

Six days ago, after Li Yue had first completely lowered herself to "serve" and plead with all her might, Chu Ye had temporarily shown "mercy."

Using a special technique, he suppressed the toxicity of the heavenly soul disturbance fragrance within everyone in the palace, preventing it from erupting violently.

However, it remained like a maggot in the bone, leaving a subtle, continuous sense of provocation, constantly reminding them: their life and death were entirely within Chu Ye's whim.

Ignoring the others, they went straight to an ice palace deep within the Immortal Palace, guarded by layers of Restrictions.

The cold inside the hall was bone-chilling. In the center was a bed carved from ten-thousand-year profound ice, upon which a woman lay quietly.

That was Li Yue's Revered Master, the former Palace Mistress of Guanghan, Immortal Master Cold Moon.

Her features were extremely beautiful, bearing a sixty percent resemblance to Li Yue, but with an added sense of quietude and fragility from the passage of time.

Her skin was pale almost to the point of transparency, and her long hair was spread out like frost and snow. Her eyes were tightly shut, and her breath was so weak it seemed it would dissipate with the wind at any moment.

Even in her coma, that innate sense of coldness and purity remained strong, like an ice statue about to shatter.

Chu Ye's gaze swept over her, and System information surfaced instantly:

[Target: Cold Moon, former Palace Mistress of Guanghan Immortal Palace, Revered Master of Li Yue.

Status: Five Declines of the Celestial Realm, Origin heavily damaged, afflicted by a Lifespan Gu, vitality severed, Realm fallen to the mortal level. Currently being kept alive by special methods, in a state of continuous decay.

Evaluation: Pure as ice and clean as jade, with ice-like skin and jade-like bones, but unfortunately the oil is exhausted and the lamp is dry. Without a Heaven-Defying Opportunity, she will surely dissipate within a month.

Overall Rating: 98]

"Lifespan near its end, Spiritual Veins completely severed, yet her unyielding spirit remains unbroken..."

Chu Ye understood clearly. In his eyes, Immortal Master Cold Moon was frail and fragile, like a handful of early snow about to melt, possessing a breakable beauty that invited destruction.

As if sensing someone approaching, Immortal Master Cold Moon's long eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes.

They were a pair of eyes similar to Li Yue's but even colder and more desolate. At this moment, they appeared somewhat scattered due to weakness. Her gaze swept over Li Yue and paused slightly on Chu Ye. There were no words, only a deathly coldness.

"Li Yue... who is this?"

Her voice was light and broken, with a texture like crushed ice and snow.

Chu Ye didn't waste time with pleasantries and went straight to the point: "I am Chu Ye. I can save you."

He paused, his voice carrying an unquestionable power of control, "But you must sign a 'blood pact' with me. From now on, you will serve me as your Revered Master, and your life and death will be mine to decide."

"In exchange, I will not only save your life but also help you reshape your immortal fate, help you return to the Peak of Immortal Venerable, and even step into the rank of True Immortal."

A blood pact!

Another blood pact!

A ripple finally appeared in Immortal Master Cold Moon's deathly eyes—it was extreme resistance and humiliation.

She shook her head with great effort, her voice weak but firm: "Disciples of Guanghan... would rather die than be disgraced. Even if I am no longer the Palace Mistress, I can still give up my life. Who dares to force me... I cannot comply. Your Excellency, please leave."

Chu Ye raised an eyebrow. Not only was he not angry, but he even showed a hint of appreciation: "You have backbone. I admire that."

Having said that, he actually turned to leave without any lingering attachment.

"Your Highness! Please wait!"

Li Yue panicked completely. She fell to her knees on the cold ground with a thud, grabbing the corner of Chu Ye's clothes, her upturned face full of pleading and terror. "I beg you... I beg you to give this Disciple a little time. This Disciple... will persuade Revered Master. Revered Master just hasn't figured it out yet!"

Chu Ye stopped and looked down at the pitiful Li Yue sprawled on the ground.

He reached out, his fingertips stroking her delicate jaw and rubbing her smooth cheek as if playing with a favorite piece of porcelain.

"Seeing as you have served me quite diligently,"

He said slowly, "Fine, I will give you three days. After three days, if she is still so stubborn and unyielding..."

He glanced at the dying Immortal Master Cold Moon on the ice bed. His unspoken words were cold and clear.

"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you for your mercy!"