87: Special Gift

Chu Ye watched her straight back as she finished tidying up and prepared to leave to handle government affairs, unable to help but sigh softly, his tone complex.

There was a hint of helplessness at being "calculated," but more so a sense of playfulness at meeting a worthy opponent, even being happy to see it happen.

Empress paused slightly at the palace entrance, not turning back; only her profile traced a beautiful curve in the morning light as her voice came over calmly:

“Whether it be a needle or a sword, if it can weave a splendid future for you and expand your territory, that is enough. Your Highness, rest well. In the evening... I will discuss the 'gift lists' from various parties with you in detail.”

After saying this, she pushed the door and left. Sunlight and the faint clamor from outside flooded in, only to be instantly cut off by the closing door.

Silence returned to the bedchamber, with only a lingering fragrance floating in the air.

Chu Ye leaned against the headboard, his gaze deep. The birthday banquet... was getting more and more interesting.

He wanted to see what kind of “ingenious” gifts the world's powers would present to him, the “lustful” birthday star.

And how many “big fish” Empress's carefully woven net could catch.

The winds and clouds of the world's Five Domains gathered, and the Hall of Longevity was filled with a myriad of grand sights.

Representatives of various powers stood solemnly in order of region and strength, their eyes all focused on the high-hanging main seat.

The air was filled with invisible pressure and the undercurrents of probing.

As the offerings began, the co-rulers of the four directions went first.

East Domain, Great Qin Empire.

The Empress, Empress, did not delegate the task to others but personally left her seat and stepped into the center of the hall. She wore a mysterious black dragon-patterned imperial robe, her phoenix-like grace natural, yet at this moment, she held a neatly folded, inwardly radiant mysterious black brocade robe.

On the brocade robe, wandering dragon and cloud patterns were embroidered with dark gold silk threads. The stitching was fine, and the charm flowed; although it was in the style of ordinary clothing, it added a bit of youthful sharpness and dashing...

“This robe was personally woven by this Empress, merging the Dragon Qi of Great Qin and the Power Of Will of the East Domain, silently containing three protective dragon souls.”

Empress's voice was clear and resonant, echoing throughout the hall. “May Your Highness wear this robe, travel the world like a dragon, and be immune to all evils.”

Sewn by her own hands!

This gift lacked the vulgarity of gold, jade, and jewelry, yet it held more weight than any divine Sharp Weapon.

It was not just a gift, but a signal—symbolizing that this Empress, who ruled the Four Domains, had placed Chu Ye at the very core, both in personal friendship and public duty.

The delicate heart of a woman and the majestic support of an emperor were perfectly fused into this single robe.

Countless gazes in the hall fell upon Empress and that brocade robe, filled with envy, shock, and realization, complex and hard to describe.

West Domain, Witch God Temple.

Witch Empress Jiuyou stepped lightly on bare feet, her purple-black gauze clothes fluttering like an exotic flower blooming in the dark night.

In her palm, she held a fist-sized, strangely colored jade stone of Chaos. Inside the jade, there seemed to be billions of glimmers flowing; looking closely, it was actually countless extremely fine prayer runes flickering in and out of existence.

“This is the 【Jade of Ten Thousand People's Prayers】, formed by the most devout condensation of faith from the people of my West Domain during the ‘Witch God Sacrifices’ over the years.”

The Witch Queen's voice carried a unique laziness and mystery. “The holder of this jade can receive the protection of my West Domain's mysterious Nether Qi luck, keeping the mind calm and being immune to all poisons.”

“In the hearts of my West Domain's people, Your Highness's merit is already close to that of a deity.” This gift raised Chu Ye to the height of West Domain's faith, representing the complete submission and spiritual support of the Witch God Temple and the West Domain under its rule. Its weight was not at all inferior to Empress's hand-sewn robe.

North Border, Demon Domain.

Several great yao with overbearing auras stepped forward, presenting not a single treasure, but a small mountain-like pile of various exotic rarities.

The single horn of an ancient thunder beast flickering with lightning, a thousand-year-old wood heart containing majestic vitality, meteoric divine gold so sharp it could cut through space, and even several eggs of ancient exotic species with terrifying auras... a dazzling array, with treasure light soaring to the sky.

“We of the Yao Race are straightforward!” The leader, the White Wolf Yao Sovereign, spoke with a voice like clashing metal. “These are all the bottom-of-the-chest treasures of our various tribes in the North Border, which can be used for Artifact Refining, medicine, or hatching war beasts!”

“Your Highness has the ambition to swallow heaven and earth; we are willing to offer these meager things to help Your Highness forge an unsurpassed hegemony!”

Simple and crude, yet full of sincerity, highlighting the simple logic of the Yao Race: respecting strength and investing fully once a strong person is recognized.

South Domain, Buddhist Kingdom.

Abbess Miaoyin did not come in person but sent a white-browed old monk of very high seniority.

The old monk held a string of Buddhist beads made of one hundred and eight golden beads that emitted a rich sandalwood fragrance and Power Of Will.

“This is the 【Beads of Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage】, formed by the condensation of incense Power Of Will through forty-nine days of sutra chanting and blessing by three thousand six hundred temples and millions of followers in my South Domain's Buddhist Kingdom.”

The old monk's voice was peaceful but contained the rhythm of Zen chanting. “Wearing it can clear the heart and mind, resist external demons, and automatically protect the master in times of danger, comparable to a top-tier defensive Immortal Artifact. May Your Highness always harbor compassion and also receive the protection of the Buddhist Dharma.”

The gift was precious and practical, but the message “May Your Highness always harbor compassion” faintly drew a line for the Buddhist Kingdom to remain detached from the world—offering cooperation with advice, and closeness with a hint of distance.

The offerings from the four directions were grand in scope, showing deep affection, devout submission, investment in the future, or cooperative caution, all displaying the bearing of regional overlords.

However, when it was the turn of the many powers in the Central Domain, especially those second and third-rate ones eager to curry favor, the style suddenly changed.

First was a Sect famous for its music, presenting an ancient-styled seven-string immortal zither, “Phoenix Cry Scorch-Tail.” The zither's body glowed, truly a rare treasure.

But the presenting Elder immediately bowed and said, “This zither is very ancient. Fearing Your Highness might not be familiar with music, I have specially sent my daughter, Yun Yao, to attend to you. She has played the zither since childhood and deeply understands its essence; she can relieve Your Highness's worries...”

As he spoke, a stunningly beautiful girl in a light green dress with a cold temperament stepped out gracefully. She kept her head down and remained silent, but the tips of her ears were already bright red.

Nominally a “ musician,” her true purpose was known to everyone.

Next, a Family renowned for dancing in the Central Domain presented an entire “Startled Swan Dance Troupe” consisting of twelve stunning dancers, along with a “Dancing Heaven Pavilion” that could be carried around and contained an internal space.

It was grandly called “allowing Your Highness to enjoy this immortal grace no matter where you are.” The dancers had graceful figures and flowing gazes, filled with shyness and anticipation.

This was only the beginning.

The subsequent offerings became increasingly “straightforward” and “competitive.”

“Your Highness, this is our Sect's secret ‘Heavenly Fragrance Warm Jade Bed.’ It has the wonders of gathering spirit, nourishing beauty, and enhancing pleasure. It is specially equipped with two Cauldrons proficient in the ‘Plain Girl's Heart Sutra’ for Your Highness to study the Great Dao of Yin and Yang...”

“Our Sect happened to obtain a pair of ‘Mysterious Yin Beautiful Maidens’ who possess the ‘Nine-Aperture Exquisite Physique,’ most suitable for Dual Cultivation. We are willing to offer them to Your Highness to seek resonance with the Great Dao...”

“My daughter is sixteen years old and possesses the ‘Warm Fragrance and Soft Jade’ talent. She is well-read in poetry and books and proficient in all arts. She is willing to enter Your Highness's palace to serve with brush and ink...”

Various women with unheard-of “special Physique” were given titles like “Cauldron,” “Furnace,” “Attendant Concubine,” “Musician,” “Dancer,” “Medical Girl,” and even “Fellow Daoist.”

Along with various exotic treasures for enhancing pleasure and boudoir furnishings, they were packaged into “grand gifts” and presented.

The donors spoke earnestly, as if Chu Ye's refusal would cut off their Sect's or Family's path to advancement and fail their “sincerity.”

Many representatives from the major powers in the hall could not help but show expressions of astonishment, disdain, or stifled laughter.

Some first-rate power representatives in the Central Domain who still possessed integrity had faces as dark as water, feeling that all face had been lost.

On the high seat, Chu Ye's face remained calm, but his mind was truly opened to new things.